Researchers question axing of chlamydia program

Australian researchers who are monitoring the relentless rise of Australia's most common notifiable infection are dismayed that the Federal Government has withdrawn their funding.

The incidence of chlamydia has increased four-fold in the past decade and a network of clinics has been trying to find out who is the most affected.

The Federal Government says the project was not intended to be permanent and its results will be used to develop a new system of monitoring chlamydia.

There are tens of thousands of new chlamydia cases reported in Australia every year. It is the most common cause of preventable infertility in Australia.