Health authorities are denying the Eurobodalla is facing an epidemic of sexually transmitted disease, despite a 582 per cent increase in the incidence of Chlamydia in less than a decade.

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The Eurobodalla’s increase since 2001 is well above the State figure of 400 per cent.

However, while Greater Southern Area Health Service HIV and related programs manager Michael Bolton said people should be concerned, he denied the situation had reached epidemic proportions.

“The rates are high,” he said. “We are concerned and we want people in the community to be concerned too.”

Mr Bolton’s comments followed news earlier this week of a startling increase in the rate of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in young people across southern NSW.

Statistics released by the Greater Southern Area Health Service show Chlamydia has increased at a much higher rate in the Eurobodalla compared to other regional areas such as Albury (235 per cent), Goulburn (100 per cent), Griffith (241 per cent), Queanbeyan (272 per cent) and Wagga Wagga (131 per cent).

“The rate variations don’t necessarily mean higher rates of Chlamydia,” Mr Bolton said.

“What it reflects is that in 2001 there was a really low level of testing in the Eurobodalla, which is consistent to everywhere else.”

Greater Southern Area Health Service used Sexual Health Week to release the new figures, in a bid to raise awareness for STI testing and treatment in young people.

“STI testing and treatment is especially important if you change your regular sexual partner and is an essential tool in the prevention of HIV,” Mr Bolton said.

“I am concerned about the reluctance of youth to access testing.”

Young people don’t usually realise they have Chlamydia, according to Mr Bolton.

“If you have ever had sex without a condom, a simple sexual health test may stop the possible spread of Chlamydia to others and prevent complications through early treatment,” he said.