Public health doctors in the Mid-West Region have expressed serious concern with what they confirm are unprecedented levels of the sexually transmitted infections chlamydia and gonorrhoea in the community so far in 2023.
The Mid-West region consists of counties Tipperary North, Clare and Limerick; spanning 10,511 km2, or 14.95% of the total area of the Irish State, serving a population of some 506,000 inhabitants.
HSE Public Health personnel in the Mid-West are already reporting record levels of gonorrhoea so far this year and claim that record levels of chlamydia are also likely to spike by the end of the year.
Irelands Mid-West Region.
Troubling signs and symptoms of gonorrhoea infection in men include:
Painful urination
Pus-like discharge from the tip of the penis
Pain or swelling in one testicle
Troubling signs and symptoms of gonorrhoea infection in women include:
Increased vaginal discharge
Painful urination
Vaginal bleeding between periods, such as after vaginal intercourse
Abdominal or pelvic pain
Troubling signs and symptoms of chlamydia infection in men again include:
A discharge from their penis
A burning sensation when peeing
Less common is pain and swelling in one or both testicles
Troubling signs and symptoms of chlamydia infection in women again include:
An abnormal vaginal discharge
A burning sensation when peeing
Note: Chlamydia often has no symptoms, but it can cause serious health problems, even without symptoms. If symptoms occur, they may not appear until several weeks after having sex with a partner who has chlamydia. Sexually active people can get chlamydia through vaginal, anal, or oral sex with a partner who has chlamydia and can cause permanent damage to a woman’s reproductive system. This can make it difficult or impossible to get pregnant later. Chlamydia can also cause a potentially fatal pregnancy that occurs outside the womb.
In 2022, some 798 cases of chlamydia were recorded; an increase of 20% on 2019 figures, while 188 cases of gonorrhoea were recorded, latter an increase of 41% on 2019 figures, and same the highest statistics recorded for both of these infections, over the previous ten years.
To present date in 2023, some 664 cases of chlamydia and 274 cases of gonorrhoea have been diagnosed.
Free contraception is available to all persons aged 17 to 30 years, and SH24 home testing is also free for everyone within the state. If further advice is needed individuals can contact their GP, or go online at www.sexualwellbeing.ie.
Ireland’s ambition to move towards the health-based World Health Organization (WHO) air quality guidelines will be challenging, but will have a significantly positive impact on health.
Air quality in Ireland is generally good, however, there are concerning localised issues.
Ireland met all of its EU legal requirements in 2022, but it did not meet the more stringent health-based World Health Organisation (WHO) Air Quality guidelines.
It is estimated that there are approximately 1,300 premature deaths annually in Ireland due to poor air quality from fine particulate matter (PM2.5).
The choices we make in how we heat our homes and how we travel directly impact the quality of the air we breathe.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has today published its annual air quality report ‘Air Quality in Ireland 2022’. The report shows that, while air quality in Ireland is generally good and compares favourably with many of our European neighbours, there are concerning localised issues which lead to poor air quality.
Ireland met EU legal air quality limits in 2022, however it did not meet the more stringent health-based World Health Organization (WHO) air quality guidelines for a number of pollutants including: particulate matter (PM), nitrogen dioxide (N02), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and ozone (O3), due mainly to the burning of solid fuel in our towns and villages and traffic in our cities.
Poor air quality has a proven negative impact on people’s health. There are an estimated 1,300 premature deaths in Ireland per year due to particulate matter in our air.
In 2022 air monitoring results from EPA stations across Ireland show that fine particulate matter (PM2.5), mainly from burning solid fuel in our homes, and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) mainly from road traffic, remain the main threats to good air quality. High levels of these pollutants are often associated with cold, still weather from late autumn through to early spring, when generally short-term incidents of poor air quality occur.
Launching the report, Dr Micheál Lehane, Director of the EPA’s Office of Radiation Protection & Environmental Monitoring, said: “The EPA’s air quality monitoring has shown that Ireland met all of its EU legal requirements in 2022. However, we did not meet the World Health Organisation (WHO) air quality guidelines for health. This highlights the immediate challenge to move towards the WHO air quality guidelines in the Clean Air Strategy. While undoubtably challenging, the significantly positive impacts of clean air on health are clear and the report identifies some of the actions that are necessary to achieve the health-based air quality guidelines.”
The report identifies that using less solid fuel and cleaner fuels to heat our homes, and reducing our use of cars to go to school, work and play; are actions that will contribute towards achieving the WHO guidelines.
The report further identifies the critical role for local authorities in enforcement, implementation of existing plans and investment in infrastructure to encourage cleaner and healthier air quality choices:
Local authorities must provide more resources to increase air enforcement activities and implement the new solid fuel regulations.
Dublin local authorities must fully implement the Dublin Region Air Quality Plan 2021, to improve Nitrogen Dioxide levels in Dublin Region.
Investment in clean public transport infrastructure across the country must be maintained and increased.
More safe footpaths and cycle lanes must be created to continue to increase active travel as a viable and safe alternative to car use and associated nitrogen dioxide emissions.
Mr Pat Byrne, EPA Programme Manager, said: “The localized issues that we see in the 2022 monitoring results impact negatively on air quality and health. Monitoring stations across Ireland recorded high levels of particulate matter associated with burning solid fuels in our towns and villages and high levels of nitrogen dioxide in our larger cities associated with road traffic. We can have immediate impacts on our local air quality by making changes in how we heat our homes and finding alternative ways to travel. These actions which also have positive climate impacts”.
To find out more about how we can improve air quality, read the EPA’s How we can improve the air we breathe infographic or check out the ‘ABC for Cleaner Air’ campaign@ The ABC for Cleaner Air , from the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, which highlights some simple steps we can all make and help reduce pollution from solid fuels.
The Air Quality in Ireland 2022 report is available on the EPA website.
The EPA continually monitors air quality across Ireland and provides the air quality index for health and real-time results online HERE. Results are updated hourly on the website, and people can log on at any time to check whether the current air quality is good, fair or poor.
“Setting someone on fire could be construed as a heart-warming gesture”, Mikey quickly retorted, “so what’s that one’s story?”
But before I could relate Amy’s breaking news, Mikey began to extol a tale of a heart-warming gesture he had personally experienced himself.
“No word of a lie”, said Mikey, “As you know I used to drive a bus for CIE at one time. It was at that time that I got a tap on my shoulder, and looking into the rear view mirror didn’t I spot two little old lady passengers behind me. One of them is offering me a large handful of peanuts, which not having had much breakfast, I gratefully began munching. After about 15 minutes, she taps me on my shoulder again, before handing me yet another handful of peanuts. She must have repeated this gesture about five or six more times and just when she was about to hand me yet another batch; I politely asked this little old dear as to, why she didn’t eat the peanuts herself?”
“The truth is my travelling companion and myself can’t chew peanuts because we’ve got no teeth,” she replied in a low whisper. “So why do you bother buying them in the first place missus?” I asked her, being somewhat puzzled.
The old lady smiled at me before replying, “We just love sucking the chocolate that they are covered in”.
“Pat, whenever you are ready, give Mikey a pint and you had better give me a half brandy, my stomach is beginning to act up”, said I.
Parents of students attending schools in Thurles, and travelling from the south, northwards on the N62, please take note.
Tipperary County Council are advising the public that they will operate temporary traffic management measures on the N62 Slievenamon Road, Thurles, commencing from tomorrow Monday September 25th possibly concluding next month on Monday October 23rd. Same disruption is to facilitate works on a section of the footpath currently existing between Lidl Supermarket entrance and the River Suir walkway.
Pictures show section of the N62 on Slievenamon Road Thurles and the widened entrance to the Thurles River Suir once pedestrian walkway only. Pictures: G. Willoughby.
These works are part of a further realignment of the road already partially constructed and then stalled some 11 months ago, and will include the removal and relocation of an ESB pole and a portion of existing footpath, while also installing a 100 metre cycle path from the present existing traffic lights on the southbound lane of the N62.
While the removal and relocation of the historic lime stone half circle walls at the existing River Suir walkway entrance have been welcomed, the failure to replace the existing turnstile (swinging gates) has caused great anger locally. We are informed that the National Transport Authority has introduced new non-compliant access control points, affecting all newly modified Active Travel Routes and require a minimum of an 1800mm clear opening, on all public entrances. This enlarged opening now permits not just walkers unto this pathway, but also horses pulling buggies, which are then driven into the river Suir, together with motorcycles and adult electric scooters, all now regular visitors using this former pedestrian only area.
Word of warning: If you are using this walkway in the company of small children, please do take care, as unsupervised children can easily run out onto the roadway, into the ever fast moving traffic operating on this section of the N62.
To facilitate this work, a section of the footpath between the new Lidl entrance and the River Suir Walkway is expected to remain closed, including the River Suir walkway itself.
The Diocese of Killaloe is undertaking a year-long initiative to encourage men to consider joining the priesthood.
Visits to parishes across the Diocese in Clare, Laois, Offaly, Tipperary and Limerick commence next weekend in Ennis, followed by visits to Nenagh, Co. Tipperary, Birr, Co. Offaly and Castleconnell, Co. Limerick during next month, October 2023.
With just over half of the 58 parishes in the Diocese currently served by a resident priest, Vocations Director Fr. Iggy McCormack says there is hope the three vocations recorded in the Diocese of Killaloe during the past 12 months can be built on, during the ‘Year for Vocations to the Diocesan Priesthood’.
“Geographically, we are the third largest Diocese in the country and is it has become increasingly difficult to maintain full cover across the five counties due to retirements and a lower number of vocations,” he explained. “The idea of young men taking up a vocation has arguably become more countercultural in recent years, but we are very hopeful that we can build on recent progress whereby three men from the Diocese will enter the seminary at Maynooth over the next 12 months.”
Fr. McCormack, who also is Principal of St. Flannan’s College in Ennis, said the vocations initiative will encourage people to discover more about vocations on the Diocesan website, while the parish church visits are aimed at kickstarting conversations within family groups, with local priests and in communities across the Diocese on the vocation of priesthood.
He continued, “I am encouraging any man who has been considering a vocation and is exploring their calling to make contact today with the Vocations Office or to speak with their local priest. Most newly ordained priests will comment on how the encouragement and counsel they received from their local priest greatly assisted in commencing their journey to priestly ministry.”
Ennis native Mr Mark Nestor, a former secondary school teacher and Clare County Councillor, entered the National Seminary at Saint Patrick’s College Maynooth last week, having spent the past year at the Royal English College of St Alban in Valladolid, Spain.
“Answering yes to my vocation to the priesthood has resulted in a great sense of contentment in my life,” Mark explained. “The support I have received from family, friends and the Diocese over the last two years has been phenomenal. I would encourage anyone who feels they have a vocation to priesthood to reach out and talk about their vocation.”
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.AcceptRead More
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
Recent Comments