Over 1,600 STIs recorded in Ireland since January

Kenneth Fox

More than 1,600 cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) were recorded in Ireland in the first four weeks of this year, 505 more than the same period last year.

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) tracks viral infections weekly, with special reports on STIs as well.

As the Irish Examiner reports, between January 5th and January 31st, the HPSC received 1,647 notifications of STIs, averaging at about 411 cases a week and 61 cases a day.

Chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and herpes are the most common viral infections so far this year.

When broken down further, HPSC data shows chlamydia is responsible for just over half of Ireland’s STIs. There have been 881 cases of the infection recorded in those four weeks so far, a jump of 62.25 per cent compared to data from last year.

Of the 10 STIs tracked by the HPSC, five have seen an increase in virality. Gonorrhoea (433 cases, up 35.31 per cent), genital herpes (171 cases, up 27.61 per cent), mpox (6 cases, up 100 per cent), syphilis (84 cases, up 20 per cent), and trichomoniasis (37 cases, up 131.25 per cent) have all seen rises.

However, two infections have seen decreases, including HIV, with only 34 cases reported in the first four weeks of this year, marking it down by 35.85 per cent.

HIV notifications in the report represent the first time each individual has a positive HIV test in Ireland.

This will include people who have their first positive HIV test ever, and those who are living with HIV, having previously had a positive HIV test outside of Ireland.

The HPSC also provide a breakdown of STIs by both location and age groups

HSE Dublin and Midlands (which consists of Longford, Westmeath, Offaly, Laois, Kildare, West Wicklow, and parts of South Dublin) recorded the highest number of STIs so far, with 309 cases.

Cork and Kerry are responsible for a combined 63 cases in the first four weeks of January.