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  "path": "/health/herpes-infection-rise-england-sexual-transmitted-disease",
  "publishedAt": "2026-06-03T14:31:38.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "Groundbreaking treatment could help bladder cancer patients avoid 'life-changing' surgery",
    "Just two hours of weight training a week 'slashes risk of early death’, scientists say",
    "Scientists warn of meat choice linked to 20% higher risk of stomach cancer in women",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nHealth authorities have sounded the alarm over a notable uptick in genital herpes infections across England, with fresh figures revealing close to 29,000 first-time diagnoses recorded last year.\n\nThe UK Health Security Agency confirmed this represents a three per cent rise compared with the 27,900 cases documented in 2024.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThis increase stands in stark contrast to broader trends in sexually transmitted infections, which saw an eight per cent decline during the same period.\n\nTotal STI diagnoses dropped from approximately 364,000 to 334,000, with reductions observed across chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nExperts stress herpes spreads readily through skin contact, underscoring the continued importance of regular testing.\n\nThe virus can be transmitted during vaginal, anal or oral intercourse, even in the absence of visible symptoms, and may also spread when cold sores make contact with genital areas.\n\nDiagnosis rates fell considerably throughout the Covid pandemic, when fewer individuals sought testing services.\n\nAnd although numbers have climbed steadily since restrictions lifted, they have not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nIn 2019, nearly 35,000 new cases were identified across England, meaning current figures remain some way below that peak.\n\nDespite the overall reduction in STI cases, infections continue to affect young people and gay and bisexual men at disproportionately high rates, according to the UKHSA.\n\nThe data reveals divergent patterns across demographic groups, with syphilis diagnoses among gay and bisexual men plummeting by 19 per cent to reach their lowest point since 2016.\n\nConversely, heterosexual women experienced a 5 per cent increase in syphilis cases over the same timeframe.\n\n### LATEST DEVELOPMENTS\n\n\n\n\n  * Groundbreaking treatment could help bladder cancer patients avoid 'life-changing' surgery\n  * Just two hours of weight training a week 'slashes risk of early death’, scientists say\n  * Scientists warn of meat choice linked to 20% higher risk of stomach cancer in women\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nChlamydia remains the predominant infection, comprising nearly half of all diagnoses, followed by gonorrhoea and genital herpes.\n\nHealth officials have expressed particular concern regarding a nine per cent reduction in chlamydia testing during 2025.\n\nLeft untreated, chlamydia can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease and fertility complications.\n\nYoung people and men who have sex with men continue to bear a disproportionate burden of sexually transmitted infections.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nDr Hamish Mohammed, a consultant epidemiologist at the UKHSA, acknowledged progress while cautioning that further efforts are required.\n\n\"These infections can cause serious harm,\" he said. \"If you have had sex with a new or casual partner without a condom, it's important to get tested even if you don't have symptoms.\"\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe epidemiologist highlighted the decline in chlamydia screening as a matter of particular concern.\n\n\"Sexually active young women are encouraged to test for chlamydia after sex with a new partner or annually,\" he added.\n\nCondom use remains an effective method for preventing transmission of numerous sexually transmitted infections.\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "Health chiefs sound alarm as genital herpes infections rise across England"
}