REVEALED: Infectious diseases Toowoomba has caught this year

Toowoomba residents have contracted a variety of surprising diseases and infections in high numbers so far in 2018.

Back side of a man who having varicella blister or chickenpox ,isolated on white. Picture: viiwee

A SEXUALLY transmitted infection has been the most reported disease or infection within the Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service region so far this year.

Data from Queensland Health has revealed there were 348 reported cases of chlamydia in the health service region between January 1 and May 20.

This was followed by 51 reported cases of gonorrhoea and seven cases of syphilis.

Despite the high number, chlamydia cases were slightly down on the average number of cases for this point in the year. Gonorrhoea cases are up by about 39 per cent.

Top diseases/infections in the Darling Downs from January 1 to May 20 2018

• Chlamydia 348 cases
• Campylobacter 217 cases
• Influenza 128 cases
• Varicella 167 cases
• Salmonellosis 91 Cases
• Ross River virus 74 cases

Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service Director Public Medicine Dr John Hooper said the high number of STI cases followed a national trend.

"Young, sexually active people who have unprotected sex, often with multiple partners, are the most at-risk group to contract sexually-transmitted infections," Dr Hooper said.

"Increased notification rates can often be attributed to a combination of more testing for STIs and a higher prevalence of the infections.

"Using condoms is the most effective way to be protected from the common STIs especially if the sexual background of your partner is not known."

There was 217 reported cases of campylobacter, a gastrointestinal disease that is a common cause of food poisoning, 128 cases of influenza, 167 cases of varicella, also known as chicken pox, 91 cases of salmonellosis and 74 cases of Ross River virus. There were 42 reported cases of mumps, despite the average being one for the year to date time period.

There were eight reported cases of adverse events following immunisation, down from an average of 16.
 

Originally published as REVEALED: Infectious diseases Toowoomba has caught this year