Sexually transmitted disease has not been respecting the city’s boundary lines.
Thus, a new program to help stem the spread of chlamydia and gonorrhea.
The York City Bureau of Health is starting a new program this month to combat certain sexually transmitted infections, according to a city news release.
The Expedited Partner Treatment Program will begin on Monday, Jan. 28 and will offer free antibiotics in a “timely, unhassled manner” to sexual partners of people diagnosed with chlamydia or gonorrhea.
“Whereas the reported cases always get treatment, sex partners of cases should also get treatment, otherwise there is a significant risk for re-infection,” Linda Otero, the health bureau’s disease intervention specialist, said in the release. “Unfortunately, many partners do not get treatment for a variety of reasons.”
One of those, according to Otero, is geography.
That’s why the program will be made available to both city residents and those who live outside of York.
“These types of infection don’t seem to respect geo-political boundaries,” she said. “City residents have non-City partners and vice versa.”
According to the release, in 2012 the health bureau received 540 reported cases chlamydia and 292 reported cases of gonorrhea. It wasn’t immediately clear if those numbers are up from previous years.
Regardless, anyone needing treatment can come to the Albert S. Meyer Health Center, at 435 W. Philadelphia St., from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Walk-ins will be accepted, and to schedule an appointment call 849-2299.
