LONDON, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- A new report released by Public Health England (PHE) showed Wednesday new cases of gonorrhoea in Londoners dropped by 19 percent in 2016 compared with figures from the year before.
PHE said gonorrhoea cases had been increasing year-on-year in the British capital since 2009, and the reduction in 2016 compared to the previous year is an encouraging sign that Londoners are getting tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) more frequently and are practicing safe sex by using condoms.
The report shows all STIs fell by 5 percent in London last year, with decreases seen among most of the 5 major STIs. Cases of genital warts fell by 5 percent and cases of genital herpes dropped by 2 percent.
ONS said the data also comes with a note of caution as the number of reported syphilis diagnoses rose by 2 percent in 2016, double the number reported in 2012. Cases of chlamydia, meanwhile, the most common STI, increased by one percent.
A spokeswoman for PHE said: "STIs remain an important public health problem in London, with the capital having the highest rate of new diagnoses in England, at 79 percent higher than any other part of the country. Of the top 20 local authorities in England with the highest rates of new STI diagnoses, 17 were in London."
Overall in 2016, there were 117,600 new STIs diagnosed in London residents compared with more than 123,800 diagnosed in 2015.
Dr. Yvonne Doyle, Regional Director for PHE London, said: "London has turned the tide on an 8 year surge of gonorrhoea with overall rates of STIs decreasing."
"This encouraging news could show that work to promote frequent testing together with safe sex practices is paying off."
Doyle said poor sexual health remains a public health problem in London, with and STIs still too high compared to other parts of the country and rates of syphilis and chlamydia actually increasing.
"Tackling poor sexual health remains high on the agenda for PHE London," added Doyle.
