Colorized scanning electron micrograph of Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacteria, which causes gonorrhea. (credit: NIAID)

A highly antibiotic-resistant variety of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the germ behind gonorrhea, is quickly spreading and may soon become unbeatable, according to Sally Davies, chief medical officer of England, and Chief Pharmaceutical Officer Keith Ridge.

In a letter to the nation’s general practitioners and pharmacies, the pair urged doctors to use the strongest pharmaceutical weapons available to combat the health threat.

“Gonorrhoea has rapidly acquired resistance to new antibiotics, leaving few alternatives to the current recommendations,” the letter stated. “It is therefore extremely important that suboptimal treatment does not occur.”