03/07/2009 (Agence Europe) - As the summer holiday period fast approaches, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) in Stockholm warns against a rise in infections due to the sexually transmissible bacteria, chlamydia trachomatis, which causes trachoma, inclusion conjunctivitis, venereal lymphgranulomatosis or the Durand-Nicolas-Favre disease, and infections of the urinary tract. According to estimates, 200,000 young Europeans will be infected during the summer by this disease that often goes unnoticed as there are no clinical symptoms. In a press release, ECDC Director Zsuzsanna Jakab points out that the Chlamydia infection may seriously affect the fertility of young women and their reproductive health. The ECDC therefore recommends that member states: (1) strengthen preventive programmes and the distribution of condoms; and (2) improve screening, including the screening of target groups. (O.J./transl.jl)