Chlamydia remains the most prevalent sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the north of the Netherlands. The STI mainly afflicts young heterosexual people up to 25 years old, the GGD concludes.

Last year, 664 people in Groningen had chlamydia, which was approximately 65 per cent of all diagnoses in the province. The public health service also notes a ‘striking increase’ in genital warts, a disease where skin disorders form around the genitals and anus.

Online test

The number of visitors at outpatient clinic Sense Noord-Nederland has declined for the first time: there is a 20 per cent decrease in relation to last year. According to the GGD, this is due to the anonymous online test introduced on soapolinoord.nl last year, as well as the fact that the organisation is more focused on high-risk groups, such as young people under the age of 25, homosexuals, immigrants, and prostitutes.

Chlamydia can be easily treated. If it goes untreated, it can lead to infection of the fallopian tubes and decreased fertility in women, and infection of the prostate and epididymis.