Recent figures from five northern Idaho counties show gonorrhea cases are up 300 percent this year. Most of those affected are people in the 18-24 age group, though "we've had a case as young as 16," said Donna Marshall-Holden, a nurse with the Panhandle Health District (PHD).

Nine cases of the STD were reported in the region last year. Twenty-nine cases have been reported so far in 2007 with three months left to go. In Spokane County, gonorrhea has increased 64 percent, according to the Spokane Regional Health District.

"[Rates] are up in the state as well as the surrounding states," said Marshall-Holden.

PHD has notified area physicians of the rise and is conducting educational programs in area schools. "What we're doing on campus is simply putting in our bathrooms information Panhandle Health provided to us," said Eric Murray, vice president of student services at North Idaho College.

Marshall-Holden urged people who are sexually active to use condoms to prevent gonorrhea's spread. "What we ask is that people protect themselves and be responsible," she said.

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