TY - JOUR T1 - How to do it: lessons identified from investigating and trying to control an outbreak of gonorrhoea in young heterosexual adults JF - Sexually Transmitted Infections JO - Sex Transm Infect SP - 396 LP - 401 DO - 10.1136/sextrans-2015-052303 VL - 92 IS - 5 AU - K Foster AU - M Cole AU - O Hotonu AU - J Stonebridge AU - G Hughes AU - I Simms AU - C Ison AU - A Waldram Y1 - 2016/08/01 UR - http://sti.bmj.com/content/92/5/396.abstract N2 - In the early summer of 2011, clinicians at Northumberland Sexual Health clinic noticed a sustained increase in cases of gonorrhoea and, more noticeably, a change in case profile from the usual picture of predominantly men who have sex with men (MSM) to heterosexual young adults, with more young females affected. The lead clinician contacted the local Health Protection Team (HPT) to seek advice about investigation and public health interventions. A multiagency outbreak control team (OCT) was convened to coordinate the investigation and control measures.Over the following 3-year period, 360 cases of gonorrhoea were detected in a locally discrete population (figure 1) affecting mainly young heterosexual adults. Patterns of transmission were studied and control measures implemented; however, cases continued to occur at rates higher than pre-outbreak levels.Figure 1 Epidemic curve of outbreak showing all gonorrhoea cases resident in Northumberland, January 2010 to November 2014, including dates when outbreak control actions were initiated. *2010 data were extracted from GUMCAD, 2011 onwards were from enhanced surveillance.We describe the approaches taken for investigation and implementation of control measures, reflect on lessons learned and offer advice to colleagues facing similar situations. Figure 1 describes the actions taken over the course of the outbreak investigation.Cases were managed according to UK national standards.1 Almost all cases were treated on the day of diagnosis. All patients were advised to return for a test of cure; 50% did and all were negative. Eighty-five per cent of cases were treated with ceftriaxone and azithromycin. All cases were offered a full sexually transmitted infection (STI)/HIV screen; 97% accepted. The main reason for declining a full STI screen was not wishing to have a blood sample collected.Guidance on the investigation and management of outbreaks of STIs, including the different teams and organisations that should be included, is available2 … ER -