2010 Chlamydia and gonorrhea rates increase in Cuyahoga County

Chlamydia and gonorrhea rates for 2010 increase in Cuyahoga County. This public health report provides case counts and rates for all municipalities and Cleveland neighborhoods.

Greater Chlamydia rates are noted by darker shading

December 2, 2011 - Public health officials released today a summary report of Chlamydia and gonorrhea reports for 2010 among residents in Cuyahoga County and Cleveland. Chlamydia rates increased 9.2% in Cuyahoga County, with East Cleveland having the highest rates among all municipalities (2,367 cases per 100,000 persons). The county rate was 771 cases per 100,000, with nearly 9,900 reported of Chlamydia infections received by public health officials. The report is available at this link.

Medical providers and clinical laboratories are required by Ohio law to promptly report all Chlamydia and gonorrhea infections to public health.

Although nearly two-thirds of cases are among Cleveland residents, Cleveland's rate of Chlamydia rose less than 1%. Other muncipalities with rates greater than the county average (771.4 cases per 100,000) included:

• Cleveland (rate: 1,510 cases per 100,000 persons)
• Warrensville Heights (1,506)
• Maple Heights (1,327)
• Woodmere (1,244)
• North Randall (1,168)
• Highland Hills (1,062)
• Euclid (1,045)
• Bedford Heights (986)
• Oakwood (873)
• South Euclid (861)
• Garfield Heights (839)
• Cleveland Heights (781)

Chlamydia rates were highest among teens and young adults under 30 years. Forty-three percent (43%) of cases were reported among teens age 15 to 19 years. Public health officials suggest school districts in municipalities with rates higher than the county average (those listed above) to consider school-based screening and treatment. It is believed that high rates of reinfection are due to patients unsuccessful in encouraging their sex partners to be screened and treated. In order to stop the cycle of transmission, greater screening is strongly encouraged among groups at greatest risk: those under age 30.

Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea rates rose 15.9% in 2010 for Cuyahoga County (248 cases per 100,000), and 15.2% for Cleveland (526 cases per 100,000). Over 2,700 cases of gonorrhea infections amoung county residents were reported to public health officials in 2010.

Alike with Chlamydia, East Cleveland had the highest gonorrhea rate that was four times greater than for the county. Those municipalities with rates greater than the county average were:

• East Cleveland (rate: 1042 per 100,000)
• Cleveland (526)
• Warrensville Heights (502)
• Maple Heights (415)
• North Randall (389)
• Euclid (323)
• Richmond Heights (303)
• Newburgh Heights (277)

The report includes tables and charts that note the disparities in reports, higher among females and African Americans.

The report was provided as a collaboration among the three local public health agencies.