By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews
In an update on the syphilis outbreak in Ireland, the country’s Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) is now reporting 498 early (infectious) syphilis cases since the beginning of the year through August 21.
This is a 43 percent increase (149) over the 349 cases reported during the same period in 2020.
Seventy-nine percent of the cases (398) were reported from Dublin, Kildare & Wicklow counties, followed by Kerry & Cork counties by a good distance (40).
More than 90 percent of the cases (456) are reported in men.
As to the spike in syphilis cases? Dublin Genito-Urinary Consultant, Dr Derek Freedman says, “This is nothing new, there has been a steady increase across the globe in the number of Syphilis infections over the last 8-10 years, and Ireland is no exception.”
Dr Freedman said people’s attitude towards catching sexually transmitted infections has relaxed, particularly with the success of PrEP and treatments for HIV / AIDS.
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