Sexually transmitted diseases have skyrocketed in a local county.

Cases of gonorrhea are up 80 percent in Delaware County, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health

Health officials are urging anyone between the ages of 15 to 24, who is sexually active, be tested for the sexually transmitted disease.

Health officials said they aren't sure why more people are getting gonorrhea.

Often, people, especially women with the disease, don't have symptoms, which can lead to the unintended spread of the disease.

More than half of the reported cases are in young people between 15 to 24, which is a large increase from the year before.

Sixty percent of all those infected are women.

The best way to prevent gonorrhea, according to a health department spokeswoman, is abstinence or practicing safe sex.

To learn where in Delaware County you can be tested call 1-877-PA-HEALTH.