Increase of 20% in reported STIs in Cork/Kerry HSE area

THERE was a more than 20% increase in reported sexually transmitted infection (STI) cases in the Cork/Kerry HSE region in 2023 compared to the previous year.

A report shows that up until December 17, 2023, there were 2,494 reported cases of chlamydia, gonorrhoea, herpes, lymphogranuloma venereum, monkeypox, syphilis, and trichomoniasis.

The HSE report, which shows weekly figures, reported 92 cases of STIs for the 51st week of the year, meaning the total cumulative figure for 2023 is likely higher again.

In the whole of 2022, there were 2,066 cases reported in the region, meaning that the figures for the first 51 weeks of 2023 show a 20.7% increase.

In both years, chlamydia was the most commonly reported STI with 1,613 cases in the first 51 weeks of 2023 and 1,425 in all of 2022, followed by gonorrhoea at 630 (2023) and 406 (2022).

This increase comes after 2022 figures already showed an increase nationally on pre-pandemic figures.

Nationally, in 2023, the age group reporting the most STIs was that aged 20-24, accounting for 8,037 infections, followed by the 25-29 age bracket with 4,830.

The report, showing similar trends to the 2022 report, indicates that those aged 15-19 accounted for 2,273 reported cases, while 30 STIs were reported for those aged under 15 and 320 for those aged 60 and over.

The news of increased infections comes as minister for public health, wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy Hildegarde Naughton said the HSE had received over 100,000 orders for free home STI tests between January and the end of November 2023, an increase from 91,000 ordered in 2022.

Since November, individuals who test positive for chlamydia have the option of an online prescription, while those with a reactive result for another STI are referred to public STI clinics.