13/11/2013

HSE Concerned Over Increasing Number Of Gonorrhoea Infections

The levels of gonorrhoea infections increased by 33% between 2011 and 2012, the HSE has revealed.

According to the Health Service Executive, there were 817 recorded cases of infection in the Dublin, Wicklow and Kildare regions in 2012, up from 613 in 2011.

To date, in 2013, that figure has continued to climb, with 1,077 cases recorded so far. This marks a 75% increase in two years.

A special outbreak control team has been established to monitor infections recorded in the first three months of 2013.

Untreated or inadequately treated gonorrhoea may lead to severe complications including infertility in men and women.

Dr Margaret Fitzgerald, Director of Public Health in HSE East, said: "Also, emerging antimicrobial resistance is a major concern with gonorrhoea and it is possible that multidrug resistant gonorrhoea may become untreatable in the near future.

"We're also concerned that infection with gonorrhoea may facilitate the transmission/acquisition of HIV, and because many cases are asymptomatic - approx 50% of women and 10% of men with urogenital gonorrhoea have no symptoms - many people may not be aware of their infection or risk."

(MH/JP)

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