Chlamydia trachomatis infections in norway, 1986 to 2006, surveillance data.

INTRODUCTION: The number of Chlamydia trachomatis infections in Norway has been increasing for the last years. A new and enhanced surveillance system was implemented in 2005 to meet the challenges faced by the increasing number of cases.
METHODS: The new surveillance system is laboratory based. Data are collected once a year from all laboratories on the total number of test performed, and all diagnosed cases from the preceding year. For each case the following variables are reported: date of diagnosis, birth year, sex, and municipality of residence.
RESULTS: By 2006 all laboratories reported data as required. We have observed an increase in yearly diagnosed C. trachomatis cases in Norway during the last years. In 2006, the incidence was 4.6 per 1000 population. The proportion positive tests have increased from 6.0% in 2000 to 7.7% in 2006. In the same period the annual number of tests increased by 13.5%. Surveillance data from 2006 showed that the highest incidence rates were found in women between the ages of 15 to 24 in men aged 20 to 24 and in 2 northernmost regions of the country.
CONCLUSION: The year 2006 had the highest level of diagnosed cases ever in Norway. To better interpret the observed trend, a voluntary system will be introduced in 2007 to collect test rates by age, gender and geography. There is a need to evaluate current and new strategies to target the group of asymptomatic and untreated young people.