Gonorrhoea in Poland in 2019-2020.

PURPOSE:The aim was the assessment of the epidemiological situation of gonorrhoea in Poland in 2019 and 2020. MATERIAL AND METHODS:Case-based data on gonorrhoea from surveillance were used (to calculate the rate, data from the Statistics Poland on the number of population was used), which were compared with data from previous years. Data on patients treated in dermatology-venereology clinics in 2019-2020 were taken from the Statistical Bulletins of the Ministry of Health. The surveillance definition is: a confirmed case (means meeting the laboratory criteria), probable case (clinical criteria and an epidemiological link - contact with a confirmed case of gonorrhoea) and a possible case (the doctor diagnosed gonorrhoea). RESULTS:Year 2019 was the one with the highest number of reported gonorrhoea cases over the 2014-2020 period - 522 cases and 1.37/100,000 population. In 2020, there was a decrease in cases by 47.13% (246 cases and 0.64/100,000 inhabitants). Delays in reporting were identified - between the diagnosis and the first notification for 2019 and 2020, on average, intervened 36 and 52 days, respectively. On the other hand, in dermatologyvenereology clinics, the number of people treated for gonorrhoea did not change - 448 in 2019 and 442 in 2020. CONCLUSION:1) The COVID-19 pandemic has deepened the problems of reporting good quality gonorrhoea data in epidemiological surveillance - the planning of appropriate preventive measures in central/local health policies is not possible. Improving surveillance and reporting of complete data on gonorrhoea cases is essential for reliable evaluation of the epidemiological situation. 2) Extensive prophylactic measures should be implemented (including for those under 18 years of age), targeting the source of and to cross routes of infection, including the promotion of safer sexual behaviors and informing the sexual partner.