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IRELAND HAD THE highest incidence rate of gonorrhoea across Europe in 2022, and the third highest incidence rate of syphilis.
That’s according to the latest report from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), which notes that sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are on the rise across Europe.
The 2022 ECDC reports on chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, and lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) highlight an increase in reported cases of these STIs across the 30 European Economic Area (EEA) nations.
The EEA contains the 27 EU nations, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.
The ECDC said the figures indicate a “pressing need” for heightened awareness of STI transmission, as well as enhanced prevention, access to testing, and effective treatment.
There was an increase in the number of reported gonorrhoea cases in 2022 across both Ireland and Europe, with Ireland having the highest rates of gonorrhoea.
There were 3,812 confirmed gonorrhoea cases in Ireland in 2022, a rate of 75.3 per 100,000 population and a considerable jump on the year previous when there were 2,348 cases and a rate of 46.9.
There were 70,881 confirmed cases across the EEA in 2022, a 48% increase when compared with 2021.
Elsewhere, Ireland had the third highest rates of syphilis in 2022.
Malta tops the list with 24.4 confirmed cases per 100,000 population, followed by Luxembourg at 23.3.
Ireland comes third, tied with Spain, with 16.6 cases per 100,000.
There were 839 confirmed cases of syphilis in Ireland in 2022, up from 718 the year previous.
Across the EEA, there were 35,391 reported cases in 2022, a 34% increase on 2021.
There was also an increase in chlamydia cases in Ireland in 2022, with 9,728 confirmed cases, an incidence rate of 192.3.
In 2021, there were 8,322 cases and an incidence rate of 166.2.
There were 216,508 confirmed cases of chlamydia across the EEA, a 16% increase on the year previous.
Meanwhile, there was also a rise in lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV).
LGV has “potential long-lasting complications” and almost all cases in 2022 were reported among men who have sex with men.
There were 27 confirmed LGV cases in Ireland in 2022, up from 14 the year previous.
However, this is down from 2019’s figure of 38.
There were 2,059 reported LGV cases across the EEA in 2022, a 58% increase when compared with 2021, and Spain, the Netherlands, France, and Belgium accounted for 84% of all notified cases.
ECDC Director Andrea Ammon expressed “deep concern over the rising STI rates” and said the figures “demand urgent attention and concerted efforts”.
“Testing, treatment and prevention lie at the heart of any long-term strategy,” she added.
“We must prioritise sexual health education, expand access to testing and treatment services, and combat the stigma associated with STIs.”
Ladies 4×400 only got 5th.
At least we got into the medals with the clap.
@Ken Mc Carthy: Weird that you feel it matters at all whether people around you caught a disease here or in another country. When someone has one of the contagious diseases, the whole point is to see a doctor, get tested, get treatment and not pass it on! I could ask how many Irish people are spreading a disease to spouses, partners and children right now. Let’s contain the spread and be grateful that doctors can test and treat such conditions here & now. No one cares whether X caught Y on holiday or locally. The main thing is to go about it like an adult.
@F Fitzgerald: Good to see a pragmatic post
Its the itchy and scratchy showwwwwwwwww!
@Tom Newell: That’s a crabby comment.
No, HIV definitely on the increase. We have increased rates in our indigenous population & also HIV positive people arriving from other countries who may not have been treated previously, as the drugs are very expensive.
Zip up your mickey!
@Sean Ryan: Ever catch your mickey in your zip, the pain of it. Although the balls were worse… much, much worse. Thank God for button fly jeans!
@Mike: Ben Stiller in ‘there’s something about Mary’ ouch!
@Finn Barr: Stop the lights!
@Mike: my friend did it when we were kids. I’ve never heard a howl of pain like it in my life.
@Gearoid MacEachaidh: It’s fierce! Then getting it back out of the zip is even worse, but it has to be done. Oh God, even thinking about it is giving me ptsd.
Well done to team ireland. 1st and 3rd almost the grand slam.
Am I missing something, or does HIV not get a mention. Are we to take it that HIV has been eradicated?
@Brian Hunt: Oh God No, still around
@Brian Hunt: HIV isn’t an exclusively transmitted as an STI. That’s probably why it didn’t get mentioned.
Ri###g like rabbits we are….
@Andrew Kenny: Ride me sideways. That was another one.
@Mike: haha
@Gearoid MacEachaidh: Surprised anyone caught that one, fair play!
Great stuff, keep her lit.
Let’s clap for us, top of the ‘clap’ league!
Have to be careful when you’re abroad,mixing with the locals. Never know when you’re safe. Have to be careful in Thailand,two girls come up and promise you a night like lottery jackpot! Could end up with 6 matching balls.
@Larry Betts: Go with the flow, Lar! Just bally up ; )
@Mike: She said “Are you ticklish?” I said “Yes I am” “Let me give you two test tickles” At least that’s what I thought they said
@Larry Betts: lololololol
So much for holy Ireland, or should that be holey Ireland?
As Twink would say, Zip up your mickey
@Gearoid MacEachaidh: Gwan de Derrick Davis!
Syphilis, Gonorrhoea… they’d make great names for holiday destinations.. Herpes too
Wish you were here
At least we beat Covid 19
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