Grant County health officer declares gonorrhea outbreak
CBC Crescent Bar Chronicle News
EPHRATA – Grant County Health Officer, Dr. Alexander Brzezny, has declared a gonorrhea outbreak due to the sharp increase in the number of gonorrhea cases in Grant County.
Public Health nurses are working closely with the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) and healthcare providers to increase testing, reporting, and treatment for gonorrhea.
According to Brzezny, Gonorrhea is a treatable, sexually transmitted disease (STD) that rarely has symptoms in its early stages, especially in women. Gonorrhea can be found through a simple urine test and is treated with inexpensive antibiotics.
“Because this STD has so few symptoms, testing is extremely important,” Brzezny said.
The epicenter of the outbreak is Moses Lake. The populations showing the highest rates are young females 20-29 years old.
“It is essential that not only the patients but also their partners receive treatment,” Brzezny said.
Gonorrhea is one of several common STD and is spread when a person has unprotected sex with someone who has the disease. If untreated, gonorrhea can spread to other parts of the body. Complications, if left untreated, can lead to the inability to have children.
The 2013 Grant County gonorrhea rate was 35.9 per 100,000, compared to the statewide rate of 63.8. From Jan. 1-Nov. 24 this year, the Grant County gonorrhea rate is 77.5, a 118 percent increase.
“Anyone who is sexually active should discuss his or her risks with a doctor and ask whether he or she should be tested for gonorrhea or other STD. Most of the time, a simple urine test is done,” communicable diseases nurse Sheri Tyler said.
Gonorrhea is one of several diseases that are reportable from healthcare to the Health District. Public health nurses work closely with the healthcare community to ensure that patients are given the recommended treatment and those sexual partners are contacted and encouraged to be tested and treated.
“Grant County Health District will continue to monitor this and other STD,” Brzezny said. “The community can do their part to control the spread of STD by practicing safer sex and see their doctor to be tested.”