Syphilis Cases Are Rising Again in Minnesota

Minnesota health officials said syphilis cases are on the rise again, raising concerns about unsafe sexual behaviors. Forty-seven new cases of infectious syphilis were reported during the first five months of 2005, compared to 94 new cases for all of 2003. Most of the cases are gay or bisexual men, according to Kip Beardsley of the state Health Department. "We are revamping our public awareness campaigns," Beardsley said, attributing 2004's decline in syphilis to outreach efforts teaching younger adults and reminding older adults of the dangers of unprotected sex. Beardsley said increased methamphetamine use might be contributing to this year's increase. So far this year, one-fourth of the gay or bisexual men with syphilis in Minnesota also contracted HIV.

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