Increase in drug-resistant gonorrhoea in UK travellers returning from abroad

16 May 2025

The UK Health Security Agency have reported a rise in cases of a difficult to treat, drug resistant sexually transmitted infection (STI) called gonorrhoea in UK travellers returning from popular tourist destinations in the Asia-Pacific region. Countries where infected travellers had recently visited included Cambodia, China, Thailand and Vietnam.

Gonorrhoea is a bacterial STI which can be easily passed between people through unprotected sex. Symptoms usually begin around 2 weeks after becoming infected. Gonorrhoea is treated with antibiotics, but if left untreated can lead to serious complications.

• See NHS inform and NHS.UK for more information about Gonorrhoea.

Most STIs can be effectively treated with medications such as antibiotics.  However, drug-resistant strains of STI’s, which do not respond to treatment, are becoming more common and can be difficult to cure successfully. This may lead to these infections becoming 'untreatable' in the future.

Advice to Travellers

The best way to prevent STIs is to have safer sex:

• Take condoms with you when you travel, even if you aren’t planning to have sex, and always use them
• Be aware that drinking excess alcohol and taking  recreational drugs can increase your likelihood of having unprotected sex

If you have had a new sexual partner whilst travelling, you should get a sexual health screen when you return home. Your local sexual health clinic can be located on the following websites

• Scotland: NHS Inform 
• England: NHS.UK 
• Northern Ireland: Sexual Health NI 
• Wales: NHS111 Wales 

See the fitfortravel Sexual Health Risks page for additional information.