Fertility fears as Chlamydia infections rise by 25%

THE NUMBER OF cases of the sexually transmitted disease, Chlamydia trachomatis, in the Republic has increased by 25 per cent, according to the latest annual report from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC).

Chlamydia infection is a major cause of female infertility. Some 6,300 chlamydia infections were identified here in 2008, the latest year for which complete figures for sexually transmitted infections are available.

Chlamydia notifications constituted 55.7 per cent of all sexually transmitted infections (STI) reported in 2008 and represent an increase of 25.2 per cent over 2007 rates.

More cases were notified among females than males and almost two-thirds of cases were reported in the 20-29 year old age group.

The HPSC annual report for 2009 also shows an increase of 6.5 per cent in the number of cases of gonorrhoea, accounting for 4 per cent of all STIs reported in 2008.

Females were five times more likely than males to have gonorrhoea, with the infection most common in 20 to 29 year-olds.

HIV and Aids figures for 2009 are contained in the latest report. There was a small decrease in the number of new HIV diagnoses, while 33 new Aids cases were identified in 2009.

However, the report cautions that due to the voluntary nature of reporting of HIV, the numbers probably represent an underestimate.

Various forms of gastroenteritis were the commonest cause of disease outbreaks reported to the HPSC in 2009. One person died as a result of a virulent form of E. Coli infection.

“The incidence of verotoxigenic E. coli (VTEC) infections continues to increase and to cause concern,” HPSC director Dr Darina O’ Flanagan says, adding: “The latest European data shows that Ireland now has the highest rate of VTEC in Europe.”

She notes that many cases of VTEC were thought to be linked to private wells and group water schemes. These water sources are particularly vulnerable to animal faecal contamination after periods of heavy rainfall.

Highest incidence rates were seen in the northwest and midwest, the figures show. Almost four in 10 victims required hospital admission with symptoms including bloody diarrhoea and kidney problems. Two VTEC outbreaks occurred in child-minding facilities, according to the report.

On a positive note, the HPSC says the introduction of a new form of pneumococcal vaccine into the childhood immunisation schedule in September 2008 has began to show some early results, with an 84 per cent reduction in invasive pneumococcal disease in the under two-year-old target group in 2009 and a 19 per cent drop in all age groups.