The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that gonorrhoea, one of the world’s most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs), is becoming increasingly resistant to available antibiotics, posing a growing global health threat.
The alert follows new findings from WHO’s Enhanced Gonococcal Antimicrobial Surveillance Programme (EGASP), which tracks the spread of drug-resistant gonorrhoea across countries.
According to the latest data, more nations are reporting strains of the infection that no longer respond to standard treatments.
WHO noted that the rise in resistance undermines decades of progress in controlling STIs and could make gonorrhoea significantly harder — and in some cases impossible — to treat.
“Drug-resistant gonorrhoea is a major public health concern. The latest EGASP data shows resistance levels continuing to rise, limiting treatment options and increasing the risk of complications,” the organisation said.
Untreated or treatment-resistant gonorrhoea can lead to severe health outcomes, including infertility, pelvic inflammatory disease, increased HIV transmission, and, in rare cases, life-threatening infections.
The report urges countries to scale up surveillance systems, invest in improved diagnostic capacity, and ensure equitable access to new and effective STI treatments.
WHO emphasized that strengthening national monitoring programmes is essential for detecting resistance early and preventing further spread.
The warning coincides with World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW2025), a global campaign promoting responsible use of antibiotics and raising awareness about antimicrobial resistance.
WHO called on governments, health workers, and communities to prioritise prevention, early detection, and responsible treatment of STIs.