HSE warns of a 'reservoir' of undiagnosed syphilis cases in Cork and Kerry

Over 400 cases have been recorded nationally already this year, almost the same as the total for the entire year in 2018

Almost one in 10 of the cases diagnosed this year up to April were in the Cork/Kerry region, followed by the Mid-West region of Limerick, Clare and Tipperary North, with 4% of all cases. Pic: iStock

There is a probable “reservoir” of undiagnosed syphilis cases in the Cork and Kerry region, according to a HSE public health doctor.

This comes as the latest national figures to July show 413 cases compared with 484 during all of 2018.