Overall, gonorrhoea grew steadily until 2002. Since then, however infection rates have fallen, by 3% in 2003, 11% in 2004, 13% in 2005, but by only 1% in 2006.1

Infections among homosexual men have continued to increase over the same period, particularly in those aged 16-24, with a modest decrease occurring only in the year 2003/2004. This, together with a 30% increase in laboratory reports of positive rectal specimens of gonorrhoea in men in England and Wales seen in 2003, implies continued high risk sexual behaviour.2