Antibiotic Resistant Infections

Part of 2. Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services – in the Senedd at 2:59 pm on 3 July 2019.

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Photo of Vaughan Gething Vaughan Gething Labour 2:59, 3 July 2019

Yes, you're correct, and within the last two years for which we have figures, there's been a 79 per cent increase in syphilis and a 47 per cent increase in gonorrhoea. There is concern across the world, in particular when it comes to gonorrhoea, that there are infections that are becoming resistant to antibiotics. Now, we've not seen that strain within Wales yet. Chlamydia infections remain stable. The challenge still is about behaviour, things that we are in control of, and that's part of the challenge about the new sexual health strategy, about our engagement with people who are most at risk and how we have a conversation about education as opposed to resolving this at the treatment end. The chief medical officer has asked Public Health Wales to consider what more needs to be done to minimise the risk posed by these infections and a number of recommendations are being taken forward and they'll be considered at the next sexual health programme board, and I would, of course, make sure that, as there is more progress to update from that sexual health programme board, I'll provide a written statement to Members to make sure you're all sighted on improvement.