Chlamydia is the most commonly reported nationally notifiable disease with over 1.7 million infections reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2017; this number underestimates the total number of infections since the majority of infections are asymptomatic. Women in these age groups have the highest rates of disease both in Connecticut and nationally. Detecting chlamydia infection, especially if asymptomatic, is key to preventing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) which can lead to infertility. There has been a dramatic increase in chlamydia rates over the last 5 years (22% since 2013) which is partly attributed to increased testing, more sensitive tests, better reporting to health departments as well as more infections. This data is updated as of February 2019.

Note. YR 2017 data updated February 2019; YR 2018 data will be updated on: June, 2019

Connecticut Department of Public Health; Connecticut Department of Correction; Connecticut Division of Criminal Justice; State Department of Education; local public health agencies, public health professional associations; faith-based organizations; laboratories; health care providers including primary care and infectious disease physicians, community health centers, college and university health services , and hospitals; health professional associations; health insurers pharmaceutical companies; community service agencies that address specific populations such as women, youth, homeless people, communities of color, and LGBT populations; organizations and coalitions focused on HIV/AIDS; schools of public health and medicine; HIV/AIDS research programs and institutes; and others.

• Managed care screening programs; sexually active women <25 years old should have an annual chlamydia test. Persons with new or multiple partners should have annual chlamydia and gonorrhea tests.
• Healthcare provider education about sexual history taking, reimbursement for STD services and testing available at the Department of Public Health laboratory.
• Patient education about risk of STDs, signs and symptoms (including none), ease of testing, and locations where free or low cost testing can be obtained (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).

*Promote use of “Expedited Partner Therapy or EPT”- It is legal in Connecticut for health care providers to give their patients who have been diagnosed with chlamydia or gonorrhea medication or a prescription to give to their partner; this has been shown to prevent reinfection of the initial patient.

*Educate the population at risk through appropriate venues and technology using culturally appropriate methods.

*Educate and train providers about resources and available referral services and culturally appropriate treatment interventions.

*Implement testing and screening according to recommended standards.