Sexually transmitted diseases are on the rise in New Zealand, and it seems the press are pointing the finger at the Irish
With very little proof to go on, it seems that the journalists at
Stuff.co.nz are holding the Irish population in Christchurch responsible for the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.
The article entitled 'Luck of the Irish has sex disease downside' details that there has been a rise in the number of reported sexually transmitted infections (STIs) since 2011, in particular chlamydia, and the Irish who are there to help with the rebuild after the earthquake are the most likely culprits.
However, there aren't many facts to back up this claim, something which they admit up front: "there are no concrete figures to analyse who is giving chlamydia to whom", although Edward Coughlan, a representative of the Canterbury District Health Board, said that they had seen an increase in the number of Irish nationals making appointments about their sexual health. The figure jumped from 75 last year to 162 this year, but Coughlan was quick to add that this was good news and that people were more aware and getting themselves checked.
Another board member, Aaron Keown was keen to point out that traditionally STI rates in New Zealand are high, especially amongst women, so it was possible that the Kiwis were infecting the Irish and not the other way around. He also added that with an attractive Irish accent, there was plenty of "casual love" going on in Christchurch on the weekends, which is why the numbers could have jumped.
The article has caused a huge stir with the
Irish community in that part of the world, with accusations that there are very few facts to go on in the piece, and they are understandably not happy with
Stuff website.
Hat tip to John Flynn and Gerry Laffey who sent this our way.
