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A man in the UK who caught the world's "worst-ever" case of super-gonorrhoea has been cured.

Sexual health doctors say he was "very lucky" and the case was a "major wake-up call for everybody".

He picked up the superbug having sex with a woman in South East Asia, despite having a British partner.

It was the first-ever case of the infection being incurable with first choice antibiotics, but now two similar cases have been reported in Australia.

The original case came to light last month and was linked to travel earlier in the year.

The main antibiotic treatment - a combination of azithromycin and ceftriaxone - failed to treat the disease.

A detailed analysis of his infection suggested one last antibiotic might work and he has since been treated with ertapenem.

Dr Gwenda Hughes, the head of sexually-transmitted infections at Public Health England, said: "We are pleased to report that the case of multi-drug resistant gonorrhoea has been successfully treated."

The public health body launched an investigation to track down any further cases - including in his British partner - but says the superbug has not spread in the UK.

Discussions between Public Health England, the World Health Organization and the European Centres for Disease Control agreed this was the most serious case of antibiotic-resistant gonorrhoea ever detected.

But now two "similar" cases have been discovered in Australia. One also had sex in South East Asia, the other reported no foreign travel.

Dr Hughes said they will be "challenging" to treat and were a "timely reminder" to everyone that super-gonorrhoea is likely to be more common in the future.

What is gonorrhoea?

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The disease is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

The infection is spread by unprotected vaginal, oral and anal sex.

Symptoms can include a thick green or yellow discharge from sexual organs, pain when urinating and bleeding between periods.

However, vaginal and rectal infections often have no symptoms.

An untreated infection can lead to infertility, pelvic inflammatory disease and can be passed on to a child during pregnancy.

Dr Olwen Williams, the president of the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV, said the case was a "major wake-up call for everybody".

She told the BBC: "He was very lucky that he still had one remaining antibiotic that was used successfully.

"Our concern is in the future there might be no antimicrobials that will work."

She said people needed to be aware that the risk of picking up superbugs is higher in countries that use antibiotics less carefully.

Antibiotics are available to buy over the counter in many countries around the world, unlike in the UK where a prescription from a doctor is needed.

It means the drugs are likely to be overused, driving up rates of resistance.

Dr Williams said: "We have to be aware when we travel that is potentially what we pick up.

"If you have unsafe sex anywhere in the world, get checked out when you come back before having sex with other partners."

She also warned cuts to sexual health services were hitting "in a world where have to tackle multi-drug resistant gonorrhoea and rising incidence of syphilis" and that was a "significant concern".

Follow James on Twitter.</s>LONDON
• A man in Britain who contracted what has been described as the world's "worst-ever" case of super-gonorrhoea has been cured, British media reported.

Sexual health doctors say he was "very lucky" and the case was a "major wake-up call for everybody", the BBC reported.

According to media reports, the man picked up the superbug after a sexual encounter with a woman in South-east Asia earlier this year.

Public Health England said it was the first known example of a gonorrhoea infection that cannot be cured with first choice antibiotics, but now two similar cases have been reported in Australia.

The main antibiotic treatment - a combination of azithromycin and ceftriaxone - had failed to treat the disease. An analysis of his infection suggested one last antibiotic might work and he has since been treated with ertapenem, the BBC said.

Dr Gwenda Hughes, the head of sexually transmitted infections at Public Health England, said: "We are pleased to report that the case of multi-drug resistant gonorrhoea has been successfully treated."

The public health body launched an investigation to track down any further cases but says the superbug has not spread in Britain.

Discussions between Public Health England, the World Health Organisation and the European Centres for Disease Control agreed this was the most serious case of antibiotic-resistant gonorrhoea ever detected. But now two "similar" cases have been discovered in Australia. One also had sex in South-east Asia, the other reported no foreign travel, according to the BBC.

The disease is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae and is spread by unprotected sex. Symptoms can include a thick green or yellow discharge from sexual organs, pain when urinating and bleeding between periods. Untreated infection can lead to infertility and pelvic inflammatory disease, and can be passed on to a child during pregnancy.</s>LONDON - A man in Britain who contracted what has been described as the world's "worst-ever" case of super-gonorrhoea has been cured, British media reported.

Sexual health doctors say he was "very lucky" and the case was a "major wake-up call for everybody", the BBC reported.

According to media reports, the man picked up the superbug after a sexual encounter with a woman in South-east Asia earlier this year. He also had a regular partner in Britain.

Public Health England said it was the first known example of a gonorrhoea infection that cannot be cured with first choice antibiotics, but now two similar cases have been reported in Australia.

The main antibiotic treatment - a combination of azithromycin and ceftriaxone - had failed to treat the disease.

A detailed analysis of his infection suggested one last antibiotic might work and he has since been treated with ertapenem, the BBC said.

Dr Gwenda Hughes, the head of sexually-transmitted infections at Public Health England, said: "We are pleased to report that the case of multi-drug resistant gonorrhoea has been successfully treated."

The public health body launched an investigation to track down any further cases - including in his British partner - but says the superbug has not spread in Britain.

Discussions between Public Health England, the World Health Organisation and the European Centres for Disease Control agreed this was the most serious case of antibiotic-resistant gonorrhoea ever detected.

But now two "similar" cases have been discovered in Australia. One also had sex in South-east Asia, the other reported no foreign travel, according to the BBC.

Dr Hughes said they will be "challenging" to treat and were a "timely reminder" to everyone that super-gonorrhoea is likely to be more common in the future.

The disease is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae and is spread by unprotected vaginal, oral and anal sex.

Of those infected, about one in 10 heterosexual men and more than three-quarters of women, and gay men, have no easily recognisable symptoms.

But symptoms can include a thick green or yellow discharge from sexual organs, pain when urinating and bleeding between periods.

Untreated infection can lead to infertility, pelvic inflammatory disease and can be passed on to a child during pregnancy.</s>An Englishman who caught the 'world's worst' case of super-gonorrhoea has been cured with a last-ditch antibiotic.

In the first recorded case worldwide, the unidentified man caught a version of the STI that was resistant to two crucial drugs.

Health officials revealed he caught it from a one-night stand with a woman during his travels to south east Asia earlier this year - despite having a girlfriend in the UK.

Public Health England issued a warning over the the STI, resistant to ceftriaxone and azithromycin - the two drugs recommended for gonorrhoea.

In a statement today, the Government agency revealed the man - whose location has also been withheld - has been cured with ertapenem, another antibiotic.

Dr Gwenda Hughes, head of STIs at PHE, said: 'We are pleased to report the case of multi-drug resistant gonorrhoea has been successfully treated.

'Investigations have also revealed there has been no further spread of this infection within the UK.'

Dr Hughes did, however, warn that 'we expect to see further cases of multi-drug resistant gonorrhoea in the future'.

She pointed to two similar cases in Australia that came to light earlier this week, with one patient having also caught the bug from south east Asia.

World Health Organization experts raised fears two years ago the STI, once known as the 'clap', could become immune to antibiotics in a 'matter of years'.

The WHO recommends patients are given ceftriaxone and azithromycin to combat gonorrhoea, the third most common STI in Britain.

But in the case of the Englishman battling super gonorrhoea, revealed last month, PHE admitted he was resistant to both of the drugs.

Officials said at the time: 'This is the first global report of high-level azithromycin resistant N. gonorrhoeae which is also resistant to ceftriaxone.'

When gonorrhoea is resistant to one of two antibiotics recommended to treat it, it is known as super gonorrhoea. But this is the first recorded case where the bug has fought off both treatments – a pill called azithromycin and an infection called ceftriaxone. All types of gonorrhoea – historically called ‘the clap’ - are caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It is quick to develop and strains mutate every few years to become resistant to drugs. Doctors have frequently changed their recommended treatments to keep up with the changing nature of the bug. It stopped responding to penicillin in the 1980s. Symptoms of gonorrhoea include discharge, bleeding or pain when urinating. But around one in two women and one in 10 men will not experience any signs, which is why the infection is so easily spread. Women who do not get treatment can develop pelvic inflammatory disease – an infection of the womb and ovaries which can cause infertility. In pregnancy, it can cause miscarriage, premature birth or lead to babies developing problems with their vision. Patients with super gonorrhoea can be given some other treatments which might work but can have unpleasant side effects. Health experts warn it is only a matter of time before the bug mutates to resist these remaining antibiotics too. They recommend using condoms and regular testing to prevent spread of the disease.

The patient attended sexual health services earlier this year after becoming concerned about symptoms and was diagnosed with gonorrhoea.

They began a month after having sex with the woman in south east Asia on his travels. He told officials he was having regular sex with a female in the UK.

The document did not state whether the Asian woman already had the multi-drug resistant strain of gonorrhoea, or if it mutated.

He was started on a course of ceftriaxone and spectinomycin - but tests showed the STI remained in his throat, suggesting one failed to work.

Laboratory tests revealed a high resistance to azithromycin and ceftriaxone. It also showed the bug was only susceptible to spectinomycin.

The patient was then given daily infusions of ertapenem, another antibiotic usually given to treat more serious infections, such as pneumonia.

More than 35,000 people a year are infected with gonorrhoea in England, including record numbers of baby boomers.

Only chlamydia and genital warts are more prevalent. Figures show 78 million people worldwide contract gonorrhoea each year.

A ‘super’ version of the STI, caused by the Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacterium, swept across Britain two years ago, striking London, the South East and the Midlands.

It was resistant to the common antibiotic ciprofloxacin and extended-spectrum cephalosporins, which are another branch of last-resort drugs.

Analysis of STI data around the world previously revealed 97 per cent of countries have reported strains of gonorrhoea that are resistant to ciprofloxacin.

And more than 50 countries warned strains were showing some form of resistance to ceftraixone - another last-resort treatment.

Chief Medical Officer Dame Sally Davies has previously written to GPs warning that gonorrhoea could become an ‘untreatable disease’.

Super gonorrhoea is one of many antibiotic-resistant infections which together kill an estimated 700,000 people worldwide each year.

Deemed to be one of the biggest threats to humanity, the issue has previously been cited as severe as terrorism and global warming.

Antibiotics have been so overused by GPs and hospital staff for decades that the bacteria have evolved to become resistant.

Doctors claim medicines including penicillin no longer work on sore throats, skin infections and, more seriously, pneumonia.</s>A UK man who caught what was dubbed the world's "worst-ever" case of super-gonorrhoea is cured — but two similar cases have now been reported in Australia.

A UK man who caught what was dubbed the world's "worst-ever" case of super-gonorrhoea has been cured, Public Health England (PHE) said — but two similar cases have been reported in Australia.

The unidentified heterosexual man, who had a partner in the UK, picked up the infection having sex with another woman in South-East Asia, PHE said.

Health officials said it was the first time the infection could not be cured with the regular treatment — a combination of antibiotics azithromycin and ceftriaxone.

It was eventually successfully treated with another antibiotic, ertapenem.

"We are pleased to report that the case of multi-drug resistant gonorrhoea has been successfully treated," head of PHE's sexually-transmitted infections (STI) section Gwenda Hughes said.

"Investigations have also revealed there has been no further spread of this infection within the UK.

PHE said efforts to contact the partner in South-East Asia were ongoing.

Cases in Queensland, Western Australia 'will be challenging'

Two similar cases of multi-drug resistant gonorrhoea have recently been diagnosed in Queensland and Western Australia, Australia's chief medical officer Professor Brendan Murphy said in a statement.

"These latest cases and [the] recent one in the UK appear to be the first reported that are resistant to all of the antibiotics that have been in routine use against gonorrhoea," Professor Murphy said.

The Australians' infections have so far been resistant to ceftriaxone, azithromycin, ciprofloxacin, penicillin and tetracycline, according to PHE.

One of the Australians is believed to have caught the infection having sex in South-East Asia, while the other has not recently travelled overseas, PHE said.

Professor Murphy said authorities were working to determine where the infection was acquired.

He urged people to prevent the spread of gonorrhoea by practising safe sex, using barrier protection like condoms and dams with all types of sexual activity.

Symptoms of gonorrhoea include abnormal discharge, genital and anal pain, and a sore, dry throat in both men and women.

People who experience symptoms have been advised to visit their GP or sexual health clinic as soon as possible.</s>A MAN IN the UK who caught the first recorded case of treatment-resistant super-gonorrhoea has been cured.

He is said to have picked up the disease after a sexual encounter with a woman in south-east Asia.

His case is the first time that the infection had been proven unable to cure using first choice antibiotics, according to Public Health England (PHE).

Symptoms are not always easily identifiable with gonorrhoea but can include a thick green or yellow discharge from sexual organs, and pain when urinating. It can lead to infertility and can be passed onto a child during pregnancy.

The main antibiotic treatment for gonorrhoea, a combination of azithromycin and ceftriaxone, failed to treat the man’s case.

A detailed report of his infection, published today by PHE, suggested that one other antibiotic might work. He has since been successfully treated with ertapenem.

“We are pleased to report that the case of multi-drug resistant gonorrhoea has been successfully treated,” Dr Gwenda Hughes, head of the sexually transmitted infection (STI) section at PHE, said.

Investigations have also revealed there has been no further spread of this infection within the UK, according to Hughes.

“PHE continues to actively monitor and tackle the spread of antibiotic resistance in gonorrhoea and potential treatment failures,” she said.

However, two similar cases have recently been reported in Australia, which Hughes said “serve as a timely reminder that we expect to see further cases of multi-drug resistant gonorrhoea in the future”.

“These cases will be challenging for healthcare professionals to manage,” she said.

PHE said that the best way to avoid getting or passing on gonorrhoea, or any other sexually transmitted disease, in the first place is to wear condoms consistently and correctly with all new and casual partners.

Anyone who thinks they may be at risk is urged to seek an STI screen, it added.</s>A highly resistant strain of gonorrhoea contracted by a UK man has been successfully treated, but officials have warned similar cases are expected.

The patient had a regular female partner in the UK but picked up the infection after a sexual encounter with a women in south-east Asia, Public Health England (PHE) said last month.

It was believed to be the first time globally that the infection could not be treated with first choice antibiotics.

Dr Gwenda Hughes, head of PHE's sexually transmitted infection (STI) section, said: "We are pleased to report that the case of multi-drug resistant gonorrhoea has been successfully treated.

"Investigations have also revealed there has been no further spread of this infection within the UK.”

The man visited sexual health services in early 2018 but attempts to get rid of the STI with the recommended treatment - a combination of antibiotics azithromycin and ceftriaxone - failed.

The patient was successfully treated after three days of intravenous treatment with antibiotic ertapenem, the PHE report said.

The man's UK partner tested negative for the infection.

Dr Hughes said: "Two similar cases have just been reported in Australia and serve as a timely reminder that we expect to see further cases of multi-drug resistant gonorrhoea in the future.

"These cases will be challenging for healthcare professionals to manage.

"We urge the public to avoid getting or passing on gonorrhoea by using condoms consistently and correctly with all new and casual partners.

"If you think you have been at risk, you should seek an STI screen at a sexual health clinic.”

Gonorrhea can lead to infertility if left untreated and is known to cause symptoms including unusual discharge and inflammation.</s>Two new cases of super-gonorrhea have recently been reported in Australia, including one who reportedly contracted the antibiotic-resistant disease in Southeast Asia.

The British man who contracted the first case of “super-gonorrhea” has been cured, but health officials believe there’s a good chance that even more cases will soon be reported, following the confirmation of two new cases in Australia.

Reports of the unusual, extremely resistant strain of gonorrhea first emerged in March, after a man in the U.K. developed the sexually transmitted infection following intercourse with a woman in Southeast Asia. As recalled by BBC News, this marked the first time the so-called “first choice” antibiotics — a combination of the drugs azithromycin and ceftriaxone — did not work against the disease. A subsequent review of the man’s case revealed that the antibiotic ertapenem might cure his gonorrhea, which proved to be correct. This was confirmed Friday in an official statement from Public Health England.

“We are pleased to report that the case of multi-drug resistant gonorrhoea has been successfully treated,” read a statement from Gwenda Hughes, head of Public Health England’s sexually transmitted infections department.

Similarly, British Association for Sexual Health and HIV President Olwen Williams described the case as a “major wakeup call for everybody,” adding that the man was lucky that there was still one antibiotic that had a chance of curing his gonorrhea.

Although there were no further cases of super-gonorrhea reported in the U.K. apart from the above patient’s case, Public Health England added that two patients from Australia might also have contracted the infection, including one who also had sexual intercourse while in Southeast Asia, and another one who had no recent record of overseas travel.

“[The new cases] serve as a timely reminder that we expect to see further cases of multi-drug-resistant gonorrhea in the future,” Hughes warned.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s gonorrhea fact sheet, the disease is most common in people aged 15 to 24 years old, and can result in genital, throat, and rectal infections, with longterm pelvic and abdominal pain and infertility among the possible consequences if the disease isn’t treated. Gonorrhea can be spread when a person has sexual intercourse with an infected individual, and also from mother to newborn child, when an infected woman gives birth. The health agency suggests that the proper use of condoms and having a “mutually monogamous” relationship with a partner who has tested negative for STDs could be helpful in reducing the risk of gonorrhea.

At the moment, Williams and other health experts are concerned that the potential overuse of anti-gonorrhea drugs, including last choice medications like the aforementioned ertapenem, might result in higher rates of resistance, and a high possibility of super-gonorrhea becoming more commonplace, Newsweek wrote. She stressed that people are more likely to be infected by so-called “superbugs” when they travel to countries where antibiotic use is not strictly or carefully practiced.

“If you have unsafe sex anywhere in the world, get checked out when you come back before having sex with other partners,” Williams told BBC News.</s>Public Health England is warning of a measles outbreak in Redhill .

There have been 34 cases - 26 confirmed and eight deemed to be 'probable' cases - since January, mostly in Redhill but with some reported in other parts of Surrey and Sussex.

A further 23 people are being investigated as possible measles cases.

Public Health England South East has urged the public to ensure they are vaccinated and up-to-date with two doses of MMR vaccine.

Measles is a highly infectious viral illness that can be very unpleasant and lead to serious complications, especially in people with immune problems, pregnant women, and in babies younger than one year.

Pauline Potter, who works in the office at St Bede's School in Redhill , said: "We haven't had any cases here that I'm aware of but we would also notify staff and any vulnerable students that we have in school if there is anything.

"It's a notifiable disease and students need to stay at home for at least four days from the onset of the rash.

"We would urge our students to seek advice on vaccination, however we aren't concerned that it's a threat [to our staff and pupils] at this stage."

A spokeswoman for St Joseph's Roman Catholic Primary School , in Linkfield Lane, Redhill, added: "We haven't had any outbreaks however we have just sent a letter out to parents with regard to the measles immunisation programme concerning this.

"We only do the flu vaccinations for the children so they need to go to a doctor themselves."

Dr Margot Nicholls, PHE South East Health Protection consultant, said: "It is really important that anyone who hasn't already had two doses of the MMR vaccine contacts their GP surgery for an appointment to get vaccinated.

"If you're unsure whether you or your children have had two MMRs, first check your child's Red Book or contact your GP surgery. You do not need additional MMR vaccines if you and your children have all had two MMR vaccines.

"With ongoing outbreaks in other parts of Europe including Romania, Italy and Ukraine, we're also warning that anyone travelling to these countries is at particularly high risk. If you're planning to go to these countries, contact your GP to arrange to make sure that you are fully vaccinated before you travel."

Because measles is so infectious, anyone with symptoms is also being advised not to go to their GP or a hospital without telephoning first. This allows arrangements to be made to reduce the chance of spreading the infection in hospital or GP waiting rooms.

What to do if you think you or your loved ones may have measles
• Call 111 or your GP. Do not just go there immediately as you could infect others
• Stay away from crowded or public areas for four days after the onset of the rash

The free MMR vaccine is a safe and effective way of protecting against measles, mumps and rubella.

It is particularly important for parents to take up the offer of MMR vaccination for their children at one year of age and as a pre-school booster at three years, four months of age.

If children and young adults have missed these vaccinations in the past, they are recommended to ask their GP practice for the vaccine now, in light of the increase in recent cases.

Keep up to date with the latest news from around the county via the free Get Surrey app.

You can set up your app to see all the latest news and events from your area, plus receive push notifications for breaking news.

Available to download from the App Store or Google Play for Android .
A British man reported last month to be suffering what doctors called the "worst-ever" super-gonorrhoea is said by Public Health England to have been cured.