Rise in sexually transmitted diseases

ALMOST 5,000 sexually transmitted infections were reported during the first half of 2001 — more than double the annual total for 1989.

When compared to the first six months of 2000, the latest statistics from the National Disease Surveillance Centre show that STIs are up 10%, with the largest increases in bacterial infections like syphilis, gonorrhoea and chlamydia.

The annual total for 2001 is now expected to be well up on the previous year’s total when 8,869 STIs were reported.