ONE of the most widespread sexually transmitted infections has become invincible to traditional treatments, medical experts have warned. 

Sexual health doctors are reporting an outbreak of a highly drug-resistant gonorrhoea strain.

There have reportedly been 12 cases of mutated gonorrhoea in Leeds before spreading, with four more recorded in Macclesfield, Oldham and Scunthorpe.

Peter Greenhouse, a consultant in sexual health based in Bristol, told the BBC: "It doesn't sound like an awful lot of people but the implication is there's a lot more of this strain out there and we need to stamp it out as quickly as possible.

"If this becomes the predominant strain in the UK we're in big trouble, so we have to be really meticulous in making sure each of these individuals has all their contacts traced and treated."

Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by bacteria called Neisseria gonorrhoeae or gonococcus.

There were almost 35,000 cases of gonorrhoea reported in England last year - it is the second most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection in the UK after chlamydia.

The majority of cases affect people under the age of 25.

Public Health England advises: "To avoid getting an STI, always use a condom when having sex with new or casual partners, and get tested regularly.

"Getting screened for HIV / STIs can lead to early identification and treatment, as often these infections have no symptoms.

"In addition, reducing the number of sexual partners and avoiding overlapping sexual relationships can reduce the risk of becoming infected with an STI."