The number of new sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) continued to rise in Minnesota in 2018, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.

The findings were reported in an annual STD, HIV, and hepatitis C statistics report by the Minnesota Department of Health. Of special concern were 10 congenital syphilis cases reported in 2018, a major increase from two in 2017.

Congenital syphilis (syphilis in a fetus or infant at birth) can cause serious complications such as miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, birth defects, and infant death. Fortunately, the infection can be prevented with proper screening and treatment during pregnancy, said MDH State Epidemiologist and Medical Director Dr. Ruth Lynfield.

The MDH report also showed that the combined number of new chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis cases in Minnesota increased by 3% in 2018 compared to 2017. HIV cases increased slightly with 286 new cases. Disparities remain among communities of color and men who have sex with men. Hepatitis C continues an upward trend, with 60 acute cases reported.

Key findings:

There were 32,024 cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis reported in 2018 compared to 30,981 cases in 2017.

• Chlamydia, the number one reported infectious disease in the state, increased by 2% to 23,564 cases in 2018.
• Gonorrhea remained the second most commonly reported STD in Minnesota with 7,542 cases reported in 2018, a 16% increase.
• Syphilis cases overall decreased 2% with 918 cases in 2018.
• HIV cases remained stable with 286 cases reported in 2018, compared to 280 cases in 2017. This is below the five-year average of 296 cases per year from 2014 to 2018.
• Acute hepatitis C cases remained high at 60 cases in 2018 (59 cases in 2017).

By — Rachel Johnson

Lakeland News Lead Reporter