Figures show dramatic increase in syphilis and gonorrhoea in Ireland as three counties see spike

The number of certain Sexually Transmitted Infections in Ireland has seen a big increase in the year to date compared to the same period in 2021.

New data from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre released on Wednesday show the latest reported infections over the past week.

They also show the total recorded cases in the first five weeks of this year and how they compare to 2021's figures.

Chlamydia remains the most prevalent STI in Ireland, with 118 new infections reported in the week from January 30 to February 5.

Some 530 infections of this disease have been recorded in Ireland in 2022 so far, a 3.5% increase on the same period last year.

Summary of HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections reported for week 5, 2022. (HPSC)

However, gonorrhoea infections were the most common STDs reported last week at 134.

Just 20 cases of gonorrhoea were recorded in the first four weeks of this year, bringing the total number for 2022 to date to 154.

This is a 57% increase on the same five-week period last year.

Syphilis infections are also seeing a spike with the total cases for 2022 up 48% on the same period last year.

There were 57 new cases of this STI reported for the week ending February 5, bringing the total number for the year so far to 80.

A total of 89 herpes cases were also recorded last week, bringing the yearly total so far to 128, a 23% annual rise.

According to HPSC figures, three STIs saw year-on-year increases of around 200% for the first five weeks of 2022.

A nurse tests blood for HIV with a rapid test. (DPA/PA Images)

HIV, lymphogranuloma venereum, and trichomoniasis all saw big jumps, although low numbers of these diseases were recorded.

So far this year, there have been a total of 41, 2 and 2 cases of these STIs respectively.

There were no new cases of other STIs tracked by the HPSC last week, including chancroid and granuloma inguinale.

For week five of 2022, the majority of sexually transmitted diseases were centred on just a few counties.

Almost three-quarters of all cases were recorded in the HSE East region which covers Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow.

The age group where the majority of infections were reported was among 30 to 34-year-olds which accounted for 98 cases.

This is followed by 20 to 24-year-olds (95), 25 to 29-year-olds (87), and 35 to 39-year-olds (50).