A slide-set of provisional data on sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is now available on the HPSC website. Following data validation later in the year a more detailed report on the epidemiology of STIs for 2015 will be published. Only cases notified via the Computerised Infectious Disease Reporting (CIDR) system are included in this slide-set (more information on CIDR is available on the HPSC website). Aggregate data on ano-genital warts and non-specific urethritis are reported to HPSC on a bi-annual basis from Departments of Public Health and are reported separately (click here.) HIV, hepatitis B and sexually transmitted enteric infections (STEIs), such as shigellosis, are notified via CIDR and are reported separately (see www.hpsc.ie) 

 Key points

• STIs (excluding HIV, hepatitis B and sexually transmitted enteric infections) accounted for 43% of all infectious disease notifications in 2015
• There was little change between 2014 and 2015 in the total number of cases of gonorrhoea (-0.8% to 1,305)
• Cases of chlamydia increased slightly (+2% to 6,815) as did cases of herpes simplex (genital) (+3% to 1,275)
• An outbreak of lymphgranuloma venereum (LGV) which began in May 2014 was declared over in July, 2015; a total of 46 cases were linked to the outbreak over that period
• Clinically confirmed cases of early infectious syphilis increased significantly in 2015 (up 22%). The final number is likely to be higher as further enhanced surveillance forms for 2015 cases are received by departments of public health.
• The first STEI outbreak in Ireland was reported in November 2015. An outbreak control team was established to investigate cases of shigellosis among men who have sex with men (MSM) and control measures were instigated. The outbreak remains under investigation and a total of 32 cases have been linked to date (including 5 cases in 2016). Further details are available in the November edition of Epi-Insight.  
  
• Young people and MSM continue to bear the burden of STIs. Half of chlamydia cases were among those aged 15-24 years and more than 70% of cases of gonorrhoea, LGV and early infectious syphilis, where mode of transmission was recorded, were among MSM.
• Safer sex practices and regular STI testing are key to the prevention of STIs. A list of STI clinics is available at www.thinkcontraception.ie. Details of services for MSM are available at www.man2man.ie