Chlamydia accounted for 1.6 million new cases in 2016, marking a 4.7 percent increase from the year prior. New gonorrhea cases jumped 18.5 percent to 470,000 cases, and new syphilis cases increased 17.6 percent to nearly 28,000 cases last year.
“Increases in [sexually transmitted diseases] are a clear warning of a growing threat,” said Jonathan Mermin, MD, director of CDC’s National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention. “STDs are a persistent enemy, growing in number and outpacing our ability to respond.”
The CDC is encouraging state and local health departments to better investigate STDs and improve the rapid testing and treatment of these diseases. The agency also recommends healthcare providers make STD screenings a routine part of care.
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