Multi-drug Resistant Neisseria Gonorrhea Infection in Ontario

Alert Date
Location
Ontario

The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) is sharing important updates from the Canadian Network for Public Health Intelligence (CNPHI) with regards to multi-drug resistant gonorrhea identified in Ontario.

General Information

Public Health Ontario (PHO) has identified a first of its kind isolate of Neisseria gonorrhoeae resistant to cefixime and ceftriaxone. The case is a symptomatic male with no recent travel outside of Ontario. The isolate is a variant strain of the ceftriaxone non-susceptible Neisseria gonorrhoeae that has been found in Southeast Asia and Australia.

Case Management

  • Continue to treat suspected or confirmed gonorrhea cases as per the current recommendations in the Ontario Gonorrhea Testing and Treatment Guidelines, 2018.
  • In the event of cephalosporin treatment failure, consultation with an infectious disease specialist is recommended.
  • Culture is the preferred method for test of cure and should be performed 3-7 days after completion of treatment. If culture is not available, test for cure by NAAT will also be accepted, and should be performed at 2-3 weeks post treatment.
  • Repeat gonorrhea screening is recommended six months post treatment for all individuals with Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection.

Please refer to the attachment for further information.

Reporting

Please continue to report all cases of Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection to the Infectious Disease Department at WECHU using the Gonorrhea Health Care Provider Reporting Form at wechu.org.  Reporting forms can be faxed to 226-783-2132. For questions or concerns please contact the WECHU on 519-258-2146 ext. 1420.