Ireland has more cases of gonorrhoea per head of population than any other European country, according to new data.
In 2023, there were nearly 100,000 confirmed cases of gonorrhoea reported in EU as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
That’s an increase of nearly a third on 2022.
Cases in Ireland reached 122 per 100,000 people in 2023, up from 82 cases in the previous year.
Across Europe, the number of people infected by gonorrhoea has tripled over the last ten years, according to data compiled by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).
“This surge was observed across different age groups and demographics, including men who have sex with men (MSM), and heterosexual men and women. The highest rates among women were within the age group 20 to 24 and this is also the group with the steepest increase in 2023 (46%).
For men, the highest rates were seen in the 25 to 34-year-old age group”, ECDC says.
“If left untreated, gonorrhoea can lead to significant health problems, such as pelvic inflammatory disease, and infertility in both men and women.”
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control monitors sexually transmitted infections (STIs) stats across the board.
ECDC says its latest findings highlight the “urgent need for increased public awareness, prevention, testing, and treatment efforts to address this growing public health concern.”
The HSE provides advice on sexual health through its website here including what to do to avoid contracting STIs and how to get tested and seek treatment.
ECDC emphasises the importance of proactive measures to address the rising STI rates. “Using condoms consistently for vaginal, anal and oral sex is crucial for prevention. Open and honest communication about sexual health with partners can also help reduce the risk of STI transmission.”
ECDC is concerned about so-called ‘super’ gonorrhea. These are strains of the virus which are proving highly drug-resistant.
“The emergence of drug-resistant strains threatens the effectiveness of current treatments, making it crucial to emphasise prevention and promote responsible antibiotic use. ECDC actively monitors AMR [antimicrobial resistance] trends in Neisseria gonorrhoea and works with countries to strengthen surveillance and implement strategies to combat resistance.”
ECDC says there is need for more research into the causes of rising cases of sexual infections. Studies should “include changes in sexual risk behaviours, such as less condom use, and higher numbers of sexual partners”, it advises.
The next highest rate of cases after Ireland was Luxembourg at 91 cases per 100,000 and Iceland on 85 cases per 100,000. Austria and Germany did not provide ECDC with its latest data.