Cases of a "biblical disease" have rocketed in recent years, and the latest NHS data shows cases of the devastating illness have surpassed anything seen in at least the last 100 years

The illness is gonorrhoea, and now Government advisors are calling for a vaccination programme to curb the growing threat. Shocking figures also highlight how the rate of the sexually transmitted infection (STI) varies even within the North East - you're three times more likely to have it in Newcastle than in Sunderland.

In the North East alone, there were a record 3,110 cases last year, more than double the 1,231 cases in 2021 and 59% higher than the 1,958 cases before the pandemic in 2019. It is also at a rate of 117.5 per 100,000 population - or one infection for every 900 people.


In our area, the threat was greatest in Newcastle upon Tyne where there were 691 cases, or 231.7 per 100,000 population - about one infection for every 430 people. The lowest risk was in Sunderland where there were 76.9 cases per 100,000 population, or one infection for every 1,300 people.

You can see the rates and number of cases of gonorrhoea where you live and how it compares with the rest of the country using our interactive map.

Symptoms of gonorrhoea, which can be known as “the clap”, include a thick green or yellow discharge from the vagina or penis, pain when peeing and, in women, bleeding between periods. It is normally spread by having unprotected sex, or in some cases by sharing sex toys, but it can also be passed from a pregnant woman to her baby.

Without treatment, gonorrhoea can cause permanent blindness in a newborn baby. It was first described by Albert Neisser in 1879, but it can be traced back to the earliest records of the human race and even to biblical times.

Cases have been rising in England over the last few years, before dropping off during the lockdowns and isolation of the pandemic, only to return to a record high of 82,500 cases last year. That was 50% more than the previous year and 16% higher than before the pandemic in 2019.

Now the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has advised the Government to offer a targeted vaccination programme to prevent the spread of gonorrhoea. The JCVI says evidence shows the 4CMenB vaccine - which is currently used to protect children from meningitis and septicaemia - offers some protection against gonorrhoea.

However, with effectiveness documented at between 33% and 42%, it wouldn’t provide complete protection against the disease, but would prevent some cases.

Professor Andrew Pollard, Chair of the JCVI, said: “Introducing a MenB vaccination programme to prevent gonorrhoea in England would be a world first and should significantly help to reduce levels of gonorrhoea, which are currently at a record high.”

Katy Sinka, head of sexually transmitted infections at UKHSA, added: “A vaccination programme to impact on gonorrhoea cases would be a hugely welcome intervention to ensure we are better prepared to address this increasing threat. We saw a rapid rise last year with more cases than ever before and with gonorrhoea becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics, tackling this infection is a serious concern.”

The disease is thought to be referenced in the bible, particularly in the Old Testament Book of Leviticus, which warns: “The man that hath an issue of seed, shall be unclean.” Leviticus offers instructions to prevent its spread including the need for prayer “that he may be cleansed of the issue of his seed”.

In the 21st century, the JCVI has advised that a vaccination programme should primarily target gay and bisexual men and other men who have sex with men, who have the highest rates of gonorrhoea. But efforts should also be made to ensure the vaccine is offered to heterosexual or other people at “equivalent risk”.

To find out more about sexual health services in Newcastle, visit here.