STDs increased 5% in Minnesota in 2019 - Minneapolis Star Tribune

Broader outbreaks of syphilis fueled a 5% increase in sexually transmitted diseases in 2019 when compared with 2018, the Minnesota Department of Health reported Wednesday.

Overall case numbers increased by 23% to 1,127 in 2019 for syphilis, an infectious disease caused by a bacteria spread through sexual activity.

The state reported detecting 385 cases of syphilis in 2019 that were at the primary or secondary stages of infection, a 32% increase.

The Health Department reported using a new analytical method for tracking outbreaks of syphilis, which have increased among men who have sex with other men, as well as homeless people and women who are pregnant or of childbearing age.