More Venereal Disease

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31587, 26 January 1968, Page 15

More Venereal Disease

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) GENEVA, Jan. 25. The spread of venereal disease has increased to early postwar levels in some countries, especially among young people, the World Health Organisation reports. In its latest survey of syphilis and gonorrhoea, the W.H.O. says that while endemic forms of syphilis are diminishing, venereal forms are increasing.

It adds: “A disquieting trend is that venereal diseases seem to be spreading, largely among the younger age groups.” In Australia, for instance, 24 per cent of all cases of gonorrhoea and syphilis occurred in the 15 to 29 age group, while in Canada the latest available figures showed that 5 per cent of syphilis and 14 per cent of gonorrhoea were in the 15 to 19 group. More disturbing, says the W.H.0., is that these figures do not give the whole picture. A recent survey in the United States showed that only about 11 per cent of in-

fectious syphilis cases were reported.

“The percentage is probably not higher anywhere else,” the W.H.O. comments. The report says a change in morality and the break-up of family life are among factors helping the disease to spread. “Young people in a changing world are particularly vulnerable,” it says. The report adds: *Because of penicillin’s effectiveness, people now have a false sense of security about venereal diseases. But no wonder-drug alone can eradicate venereal disease.”