MINEOLA, N.Y.
(AP) _ A Nassau County man has been diagnosed with a rare
sexually transmitted disease, the first case in the county and
one of seven around the country.
The Nassau County Department of Health has
confirmed that the man has Lymphogranuloma Venereum, a form of
chlamydia. The disease's symptoms can be serious _ rectal pain
and bleeding, and sores. The disease can also increase the risk
of HIV transmission.
Two men in New York City were diagnosed in
early February with the disease, which can be treated with
antibiotics if caught early. All three men are HIV positive, and
had multiple partners among other men. Three cases have been
identified in San Francisco, and one in Atlanta. Unprotected
anal intercourse is the key risk factor for the spread of LGV,
which is difficult to diagnose.
In the past two decades LGV has been uncommon
in industrialized nations and primarily has been found in the
tropics.
But in November, the National Institute for
Public Health in the Netherlands said 92 cases of LGV among gay
and bisexual men had been reported there over the preceding
year, compared to the usual two or three cases a year. Officials
said cases also have been found in the United Kingdom.
The LGV cases come at the same time that
another New York City man was diagnosed with a case of highly
drug-resistant HIV.
Officials in Nassau and Suffolk counties were
planning to hold a meeting on Monday to discuss the potential
public health threat of LGV as well as the resurgence of
high-risk sexual behavior.
