Sliding STI Notification Rates in Ireland
Decline in Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) by 11% observed in previous year - HPSC report
A 11% drop in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) notifications was reported in Ireland for 2024, as announced by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC). The significant reduction was primarily attributed to decreases in chlamydia and gonorrhoea cases.
This promising trend, however, came after substantial increases in STI notifications in both 2022 and 2023. Younger individuals and women aged 20-24 years were notably impacted, with chlamydia and gonorrhoea cases disproportionately affecting the younger generation. The most common STIs in 2024 remained chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and genital herpes.
Notably, the rate of gonorrhoea notifications amongst gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM) remained relatively high and stable at 2,112 per 100,000 population. Meanwhile, chlamydia notifications decreased by almost 15.8% in 2024, falling from 13,705 in 2023. Gonorrhoea notifications dropped by 12.4%, from 6,804 in the previous year. Mpox notifications rose slightly to 25 in 2024, compared to 13 in 2023, still far below the 227 cases reported in 2022.
The HPSC attributed this decline in cases to behavioral changes and immunity from vaccination or previous infections. A concerning increase of 9% in herpes notifications to 1,834 in 2024 was observed, with 35% of cases affect the younger population aged 15-24 years, and 71% being female. Collectively, STIs among young people aged 15-24 years saw a 23% decrease in 2024 compared to 2023.
However, Ireland continued to struggle to meet the World Health Organization (WHO) objectives of reducing STIs and ending STI epidemics as a public health concern by 2030. With increased awareness, improved access to sexual health services, and rigorous testing and treatment efforts, there's hope that the downturn in STI cases can be sustained.
The reduction in STI notifications in 2024, as reported by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), suggests a potential impact of increased awareness and behavioral changes on sexual health-and-wellness, especially among the younger generation. Despite the significant drop in chlamydia and gonorrhoea cases, Ireland continues to grapple with meeting the World Health Organization's objectives for STI reduction, particularly in light of the concerning rise in herpes notifications.
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