WALLA WALLA County—In a July 31 press release, the Washington State Department of Health declared Walla Walla County in outbreak status for both male and female gonorrhea cases. Washington Disease Reporting System data shows 27 cases in the county of the last three months as compared to only six cases during the same time period last year.

According to the release, Walla Walla County is currently the only county in Washington State having a gonorrhea outbreak. The county communicable disease unit is on high alert as an increase in syphilis often follows a gonorrhea outbreak.

Sexually transmitt...