Thurles Information

According to the Irish Health Service Executive (HSE) it is most likely that there are a very large number of undiagnosed syphilis cases, here in the Irish Republic. Almost one in 10 of the cases diagnosed this year, up until April 2021, were in the Cork/Kerry region, followed by the Mid-West region of Tipperary North, Limerick and Clare, with 4% of all cases. The remainder were mainly in the Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow region.

Syphilis is a bacterial infection that is usually caught by having sexual intercourse with someone who is already infected. It is therefore important for those who think they might have syphilis to get tested and treated as soon as possible, as the disease can cause more serious problems if left untreated. In most cases the disease can usually be cured with a short course of antibiotics.

Syphilis is a worm-like, spiral-shaped organism which infects people by burrowing into the moist mucous membranes of the mouth or genitals. From there, the spirochaete (twisted bacterium) produces a small visible ulcer known as a chancre (painless ulcer).

In 1495 an epidemic of a new and terrible disease broke out among the soldiers of Charles VIII’s French army after he invaded Naples in the first of the Italian Wars, and its subsequent impact on Europeans was catastrophic. This disease was “grande verole”, the “great pox” or to become later known as syphilis.

Some thought it was a divine punishment for sin, and as such should not be treated as a disease at all.

This affliction starts with genital ulcers, then progressed to a fever, general rash, joint and muscle pains, then weeks or months later same was followed; all over the trunk of the human body, by large, painful and foul-smelling abscesses and sores, or pocks. Muscles and bones became extremely painful, especially when lying down at night. The sores would become ulcers that could eat into bones, before breaking out on the face destroying the nasal area, lips and eyes. Doctors back then knew of no remedy.

Known Past Historical Cases:-
Archduke Otto of Austria, (his nephew was Archduke Franz Ferdinand, who was assassinated by Gavrilo Princip, thus starting WWI ), around 1900, he became ill from the “French Disease” or syphilis, forcing him to replace his nose with a rubber prosthetic.

Al Capone: One of the most notorious gangsters in America, was first diagnosed with syphilis in 1938, while he was serving 11 years in the famous Alcatraz prison, for tax fraud. This led to his death at the age of just 48 years.

Adolf Hitler: Hitler’s tremor and irregular heartbeat, during the last years of his life, were attributed to late stage syphilis. He was supposedly infected by a prostitute in his early 20s, before being treated for same at a hospital in Pasewalk, in Germany. However, in 1937, symptoms re-appeared, indicating that the disease was still active, and by the start of 1942, signs were evident that progressive syphilitic paralysis was beginning to occur.

Syphilis first became curable in 1910, with Dr. Paul Ehrlich’s introduction of the drug Salvarsan or compound 606, the first modern antimicrobial agent, which had dangerous side effects.

In the US Army during World War I, syphilis was the second most common reason for disability and absence from duty, being responsible for nearly 7 million lost working days and the discharge of more than 10,000 men from the forces.
After 1943, with the advent of penicillin, syphilis incidence rates again dropped; to once more slowly increase, in more recent decades.

National figures in Ireland in the first 6 months of this year show 413 new cases, compared with just 484 during the full 12 months of 2018.

The HSE state that they are unsure why cases are rising so steadily and have launched a national outbreak control team; same headed by Dr. Peter Barrett, latter a public health specialist with HSE South.
The HSE state they are seeing increases in the number of cases, especially among women, being diagnosed both in Cork and Kerry, but also nationally.

The early stages of syphilis can be asymptomatic and people can unknowingly infect their partners, so to this end the HSE is launching a new national communications campaign; with alerts already having been sent out to local GPs and hospitals.

The Department of Health has confirmed 1,314 new cases of the Covid-19 virus in the Irish Republic. There are 187 in our hospital’s currently being treated of whom 30 are in ICU.

In Northern Ireland, an additional 1,040 cases of the virus have been confirmed with, sadly, one further death. Here there are 226 people in hospital with Covid-19, 38 of whom remain in intensive care.

These figures bring to 2,354 the number of new Covid-19 cases on the island of Ireland in the past 24 hours.

Following huge demand over the recent Bank Holiday weekend, a walk-in Covid-19 vaccination clinic will again open in Clonmel, Co. Tipperary on Thursday and Friday (August 5th & 6th).
Persons aged 16 years and over, seeking their first vaccine, can attend at the Clonmel Park Hotel between 1:00pm & 4:00pm tomorrow Thursday, or the following day Friday between 9:00am & 1:00pm and 2:00pm & 5:00pm. No appointments are necessary, but people must attend with their PPS number and a photo ID in order to register. For further information visit: https://vaccine.hse.ie/

Nationally, people with Covid-19 symptoms are being urged to stay at home, even if they are vaccinated, as they could still spread the virus. Doctors around the country are reporting that outbreaks are being notified to them, which have originated in symptomatic people attending places of work, eating out or social gatherings. Going to work or meeting friends, while experiencing Covid symptoms could be the link that sets off a further chain of transmission leading to more serious outbreaks in local communities.

The announcement that Holy Communions and Confirmations will go ahead in some areas of the Irish Republic is of major concern.
Some bishops within the church feel that Communions and Confirmation ceremonies; taken as part of current weekly Mass events, can be conducted in compliance with public health measures. While this may indeed be the case, church authorities cannot control and implement public health measures at inevitable communion and confirmation parties following these ceremonies.
It is these after event celebrations that are being seen by our government and health authorities as potential “super spreader events” and the rationale behind their decision to ask that communions and confirmations, be postponed for the time being.

The bishops’ decision has consequences for society as a whole, and in particular schools. Has anyone actually considered the impact this decision will have on same educational facilities? Teachers in Roman Catholic primary schools play a huge role in preparing pupils for their communion and confirmation. Before announcing that communions and confirmations were to go ahead, what, if any, consultation has taken place with schools? Will teachers and schools co-operate with this decision? With schools due to open at the end of this month, surely communions and confirmations could be postponed for a little while longer? Schools have an enormous task on their hands in respect of opening up schools and keeping pupils safe. The last thing they need is to have to deal with the potential fallout of the bishops’ decision, namely, parties which risk the spread of more cases among unvaccinated children and in turn result in class and school closures.

Meanwhile, hopefully some good news; the European Commission has approved a supply contract with US firm Novavax to buy up to 200 million doses of its potential Covid-19 vaccine, the Commission has said. The move is part of the EU’s strategy to diversify its vaccine portfolio. Novavax has confirmed the deal in a statement; confirming that it was working to complete the submission of vaccine data to the EU drugs regulator in the third quarter of this year, with delivery of initial doses expected to begin after their approval.

Laois County Council has refused to grant a music licence to Electric Picnic festival organizers, latter event due to take place from 24th to 26th of September at Stradbally Hall Estate, Co Laois. The local authority said the decision was made following the most up-to-date public health advice available to the council from the Health Service Executive.

Here in the Republic of Ireland, the Department of Health has confirmed 1,352 further cases of Covid-19. Presently there are 27 people in ICU’s, while 177 patients have been committed to hospital’s with the virus; with HSE Chief Executive Mr Paul Reid raising concerns regarding a steady rise in hospitalisations over the past 24 hours.

Over a six-week period the HSE has administered 2.1 million dose of vaccine, with 1 million of same administered in the first 12 weeks of 2021. Some 280,000 young people in the 12-15 age group will begin to receive their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine this month, with GPs and pharmacies playing a key role in administration.

In Northern Ireland within the last 24-hours, there have, sadly, been 5 further coronavirus related deaths, while another 872 positive cases have been reported by their Department of Health. Here in Northern Ireland also almost 300 fraudulent Covid-19 passport claims have been rejected. This figure emerged after the region’s vaccine certification system was plagued with technical difficulties last week.

Figures north and south bring to 2,224 the number of Covid-19 cases on the island of Ireland in past 24 hours; up 54 on yesterdays calculations.

Meanwhile in Sydney, Australia, 300 members of the army have been brought in to help enforce its prolonged lock-down, while stay-at-home orders in Australia’s third-largest city Brisbane have been extended to curb a worsening outbreak.

In China today, millions of people are confined to their homes, as the country tried to contain its largest coronavirus outbreak in months; as an outbreak of the fast-spreading Delta variant reaches over 20 cities and more than a dozen provinces.

Please Stay Safe.