Rise in sexually transmitted infections on Eyre Peninsula

Rates of a disease transmitted by sexual activity have almost tripled on the Eyre Peninsula and South West region in one decade.

According to data from the Kirby Institute published in News Corp papers, more than 140 new gonorrhoea cases were recorded in the region in the two years to 2023, marking a 292 per cent jump since 2016.

Over the same period, syphilis infections climbed by 68 percent.

There was also an 8 percent rise in chlamydia.

Experts say falling condom use is part of the problem, and lower testing rates are helping to hide the growing number of cases.