Major rise in Cork sex infection screenings

THE number of people being screened at Cork clinics for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) has almost trebled in the last 10 years.

However, since the introduction of a screening service at Kerry General Hospital in August 2000, the figure has remained relatively static.

In 1996, a total of 2,654 people were treated for STIs in Cork, while last year the figure was 7,745. In Kerry, the yearly figures have hovered in the early to mid-400 range.