ERIE COUNTY, N.Y. --- Erie County says cases of gonorrhea have increased 18 percent in 2012, compared to 2011. The heath department says the comparison does not include cases from December, 2012.

Most of the cases continue to occur in the City of Buffalo.

The county says it's concerned because the sexually transmitted disease can also indicate the presence of other diseases.

"Gonorrhea is associated with, more closely associated with sexual networks where we see HIV so that's a big worry to us at the health department," said Erie County Health Commissioner Dr. Gale Burstein.

For more information on treatment and prevention, log onto erie.gov or cdc.gov.