Sexual diseases - Worrying trend must be halted

The annual report from the National Disease Surveillance Centre (NDSC) contains worrying statistics on the increase in the number of sexually transmitted infections in Ireland.

With more than 10,400 infections, the highest for any year on record, it is sensible that the Tánaiste and Minister for Health Mary Harney should be prepared to consider one of the recommendations, although it could prove a controversial one.

The NDSC seriously proposes that HIV should be a mandatory notifiable disease, with safeguards to protect patient confidentiality.

The annual report pointed to a high level of endemic syphilis last year and that the rise in sexually transmitted infections was being linked to an increase in unsafe sexual behaviour.

It obviously points to a complacency on the part of a considerable number of people who are indifferent to several campaigns on the issue of safe sex.

It would be folly to allow this trend develop, and the fact that at least one infectious disease is now considered endemic, is indicative of the extent of the problem.