A STAGGERING 2.2 per cent of Bedfordshire youngsters aged under 25 were diagnosed with chlamydia last year.
Figures released last week by the Health Protection Agency show that the number of chlamydia sufferers shot up from 1530.7 per 100,000 in 2009 to 2228.9 among 15 to 24 year olds in 2010.
Rates of chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis and herpes also all increased across the county in the last year.
The news was better in Luton where number of youngsters aged 15 to 24 suffering from chlamydia, the most at risk age group for the infection, dropped from 2122.8 per 100,000 in 2009 to 2050 in 2010.
Total figures for STIs fell by four per cent across the east of England region.
That news was welcomed by Dr Chris Williams, sexual health lead at HPA East of England.
He said: “Although the drop is modest, this is a highly encouraging step, especially as the decrease occurred during a period of increased testing for STIs in health settings across England.
“But these encouraging decreases do not mean we can rest on our laurels.
“We need to continue to reinforce the message that the safest way to protect yourself against an STI is to use a condom with all new or casual partners.
He added: “The message of consistent condom use is even more important for men who have sex with men because they are particular risk of HIV as well as other STIs.”