Sexually transmitted diseases up 19 percent in 2002
– ©2003 Minnesota Department of Health

According to a new report from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), the number of reported sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in the state rose 19 percent in 2002 from 2001. The report shows that a total of 13,304 reportable STD cases were recorded by the MDH in 2002 compared to the 11,158 cases in 2001.

"The increase in reported STD cases in Minnesota emphasizes the need for education and early detection," said Dr. Harry Hull, state epidemiologist and director of the Division of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention and Control at MDH. "The more education on safe sexual activity we can provide, the more sexually transmitted diseases we can prevent."

"The occurrence of these types of STDs can be reduced through increased prevention efforts," Hull said. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that latex condoms, when used consistently and correctly, can reduce the risk of getting of STDs when the infected areas are covered by the condom.

To combat the epidemic, the MDH Partner Services Program provides follow-up to all cases of early syphilis, HIV infection, AIDS and untreated persons with gonorrhea and chlamydia and their sexual partners who may need examination and treatment. In addition, the MDH has expanded its chlamydia and gonorrhea screening efforts with 8 clinics serving areas with the highest rates of infection.

"We estimate that one-third of the increases in chlamydia and gonorrhea were due to the new 'active' component of our surveillance system that reminds physicians to report all of their diagnosed cases of chlamydia and gonorrhea," Hull said. "But this doesn't account for all of the increases and we certainly can't ignore the fact that we had over 13,000 STD cases reported. This is an epidemic."

"Another point of concern is the rise in early syphilis cases we saw in 2002," said Hull. "Early syphilis cases (primary, secondary and early latent stages of syphilis) are the most important stages to monitor since they represent the most recent infections and when syphilis is most infectious."

Health officials emphasize that chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis can be spread through unprotected oral, anal and vaginal sex. Once detected, they can be treated and cured with antibiotics. However, untreated chlamydia and gonorrhea can cause infertility and other long-term reproductive health problems in women. Syphilis can lead to blindness, brain damage, heart problems and even death in both men and women. In addition, these STDs can increase the risk of getting or spreading HIV infection.

"These diseases are all preventable," said Hull. "We need to make sure that Minnesotans know the risks of unprotected sex and ways to stop the spread of STDs."

The complete STD Surveillance Report - 2002 and STD fact sheets can be found on the MDH website at http://www.health.state.mn.us. The new CDC treatment guidelines for STDs are available online at http://www.cdc.gov/std. People can call the Minnesota Family Planning & STD Hotline, toll free, at 1-800-78-FACTS (voice or TTY) for confidential information about the prevention, testing locations and treatment of STDs.