Cases of gonorrhea and syphilis fall in Bradford

Fewer cases of gonorrhea and syphilis were diagnosed in Bradford last year, new figures show – despite the rise nationally.

Statistics from the UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA) show that there were 544 diagnoses of gonorrhea and 46 diagnoses of syphilis in Bradford in 2023.

They were down from 689 and 50 respectively a year earlier.

Nationally, recorded cases of syphilis were at their highest level since 1948, while gonorrhea reached its highest number since records began in 1918.

In total, there were 2,696 STI diagnoses last year in Bradford – down from 2,827 the previous year.

Dr Hamish Mohammed, consultant epidemiologist at the UKHSA, said: “The best way to reduce your risk of infection is to use a condom consistently and correctly with new or casual partners.”

He added: “The NHS offers free and confidential tests for STIs to detect any potential infections and prevent them being passed on to others.”