The Tribune

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS

Tribune Staff Reporter

lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

HEALTH officials are raising alarms about a sharp increase in chlamydia cases that experts warn, if left unaddressed, could lead to a rise in other STIs and HIV.

There were 131 laboratory-confirmed cases of chlamydia in February 2025, a significant surge from previous months.

Health Minister Dr Michael Darville and Dr Nikkiah Forbes, director of the National HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Programme, called for urgent action during a press conference yesterday.

“This uptick in cases is a cause for concern as chlamydia is one of the most common STIs,” Dr Darville said. “When left untreated, it can lead to serious health complications, particularly for women, including infertility and pregnancy-related issues. Additionally, an increase in one STI may also signify a risk for the transmission of other infections, such as gonorrhoea, syphilis and HIV.”

The most affected age groups are people aged 15 to 19 and 20 to 24, each accounting for approximately 27 percent of cases. Dr Forbes noted that women make up 76 percent of cases, while males account for 24 percent.

“Females are more likely to seek healthcare than males,” she explained. “If they have abnormal vaginal discharge, pain during urination, or other symptoms, they will visit a physician.”

“Males, on the other hand, may have chlamydia without symptoms or experience only mild burning, making them less likely to seek medical attention. Additionally, laboratory testing involves urine tests or urethral swabs, which can be a deterrent for some men.”

She said the 131 confirmed cases in February far exceeded previous highs, which typically ranged from 46 to 89 cases per month in 2024.

“If left untreated, STIs can lead to serious complications, including infertility, pelvic inflammatory disease, and in the case of syphilis, damage to the brain, the heart, and other organs,” she said.

“They can also cause an increase in HIV transmission. The breach in the private area and the inflammation in the private area makes it easier to get HIV with unprotected sex, and we do not have a currently widely available cure for HIV. It’s a very serious infection.”

Chlamydia and many other STIs are curable with proper treatment.

Dr Forbes outlined the symptoms of common STIs, emphasising that some people may have no symptoms, making regular screening essential. Chlamydia symptoms include pain during urination, abnormal discharge from the vagina, penis, or rectum, and lower abdominal pain.

Gonorrhea presents similar symptoms but can also cause pain and swelling in the testicles for men and pelvic pain for women. Syphilis begins as a painless sore, then progresses to rashes, swollen lymph nodes, and, in later stages, severe organ damage affecting the brain and heart.

Health officials said they are taking immediate action to address the rising numbers. These efforts include strengthening public awareness campaigns on prevention, testing, and treatment options; expanding access to STI treatment at public health clinics; strengthening contact tracing efforts to ensure exposed individuals are notified and treated early; and collaborating with the Ministry of Education to enhance sexual health education in schools through programmes like Focus on Youth.

Dr Forbes also urged sexually active people to take preventive measures. “We are seeing a practice, a sexual practice, where there’s a drop-off in people using condoms, and this is a matter of concern,” she said. “It will cause an increase in STIs and HIV. Use condoms correctly and consistently throughout the sex act from beginning to end.”

She encouraged people to consider Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), a daily pill that significantly reduces the risk of contracting HIV. She said it is “ up to 97 percent or more effective if taken properly and as prescribed.”