The rates of sexually transmitted infections in Ireland were almost a third higher in 2024 than they were in 2019, new data has shown, as bacterial STIs reached a record high across Europe.
According to new figures from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Ireland was among the top three countries in Europe for the highest rates of both syphilis and gonorrhoea in 2024, reports Breaking News.
The ECDC said bacterial sexually transmitted infections have reached a record high across the continent.
Across Europe, cases of gonorrhoea reached 106,331 in 2024, a 303% increase compared to 2015, reports Breaking News.
The agency is urging public health authorities in member states to strengthen their national STI strategies to prevent numbers continuing to rise.
Officials suggested that changes in sexual behaviour following the Covid-19 pandemic may be a contributing factor, with some suggesting that young people who had limited social contact during lockdown may have had a surge in contacts afterwards, reports Breaking News.
A change in how people meet sexual partners, including through dating apps, was also cited as a possible driver, reports Breaking News.
Rates are coming down in Ireland, helped in part by the availability of home-testing for STIs, but they remain above pre-pandemic levels, reports Breaking News.
An increase in the number of people testing was also noted as a natural factor in the rise in recorded positive cases.
The ECDC said it was important for countries to continue expanding access to testing and treatment as part of any strengthened national response, reports Breaking News.
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