State ‘fails to act’ on syphilis epidemic

SYPHILIS is making a comeback in Ireland, spurred on by high-risk sexual behaviour, a genito-urinary expert has warned.

Dr Derek Freedman, who saw five new cases of the sexually transmitted disease this month, said the state had slipped up in maintaining vigilance about syphilis following a significant outbreak in 2001 and 2002.

“We don’t have outreach programmes; we don’t have public health programmes; we have not been given any extra resources to deal with the syphilis epidemic,” said Dr Freedman.