Gonorrhea is the second most commonly reported nationally notifiable disease with over 555,608 infections reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2017. Gonorrhea infections have increased nationally by 67% since 2013.  Along with chlamydia, gonorrhea infection is a major cause of pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility in women. In 2013, gonorrhea was called an "urgent threat" by CDC because of the increasing number of antibiotics the bacteria has developed resistance against. 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.

• Healthcare provider awareness and education about gonorrhea epidemiology (including antibiotic resistance) and current recommended antibiotic treatment. The only current recommended treatment is Ceftriaxone 250mg IM (shot) plus Azithromycin 1000mg (pills) given at the same time. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
• Persons with new or multiple partners should have annual chlamydia and gonorrhea tests.  Women <25 years old should also get a gonorrhea test with their annual chlamydia test.
• 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.