Minnesota Department of Health

News Release

March 31, 2008

Contact information

Minnesota STD cases increase in 2007
Chlamydia accounts for more than three-fourths of 17,057 STD cases

The number of cases of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in Minnesota climbed to a new high of 17,057 in 2007, according to new data released by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) for National STD Awareness Month in April. Reportable STDs in Minnesota include chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis. The number of cases of STDs in 2006 was 16,428.

“The rate of chlamydia, which can cause infertility, has more than doubled in the past 12 years and is the driving force behind these record number of STD cases,” said Peter Carr, director of the STD and HIV Section at MDH. “Chlamydia accounted for more than three-fourths of the total number of cases.”

Health officials noted that among the 13,412-chlamydia cases, nearly 70 percent occurred in teens and young adults ages 15 to 24. Rates remain elevated among communities of color. The greatest increases for chlamydia, compared to 2006 data, have been in Greater Minnesota with an 8 percent increase, and in Twin City suburbs with a 4 percent increase.

“In part, the rising chlamydia numbers reflect a more concerted effort by our clinicians to do more testing. Data from the Minnesota Community Measurement 2007 Health Care Quality Report show that the percentage of sexually active 16 to 25 year-old women screened for chlamydia has increased from 26 percent in 2003 to 41 percent in 2007 ” said Carr. “About 3 out of 4 females and 1 out of 2 males will show no symptoms once infected. Routine testing, even in the absence of symptoms, is the only way to detect these cases.”

Guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) call for annual screenings of all sexually active women aged 25 and under and for women over 25 that have risk factors such as a new sexual partner. Health officials noted that electronic patient records that incorporate screening guidelines are effective in reminding clinicians about screening.

“Guidelines and screenings are only a part of the solution,’ says Carr. “A missing piece is that not enough sexual partners of those already diagnosed are being notified about their need to be tested and treated. Untreated partners remain reservoirs for spreading the disease.”

MDH data shows that 9,679 females were diagnosed with chlamydia last year while 3,730 males were diagnosed. CDC guidelines call for sexual partners to be notified of their potential exposure, screened and treated.

“We also saw an increase in the number of gonorrhea and syphilis cases reported in 2007,” said Carr. “Both of these STDs are serious if not detected and treated in their early stages.”

Gonorrhea remained the second most commonly reported STD in Minnesota with 3,459 cases reported in 2007, a 5 percent increase compared to 2006. The state has averaged around 3,200 reported cases of gonorrhea in each of the last 6 years.

Untreated gonorrhea, like chlamydia, can also lead to infertility in both men and women. Gonorrhea can spread to organs and joints and these conditions can be life threatening. Both chlamydia and gonorrhea can be passed to newborns during childbirth causing blindness if the infant is not treated. Early syphilis cases remain concentrated in the Twin Cities area with 103 out of the 114 total cases occurring among men who have sex with men (MSM) in 2007. This represents a 30 percent increase in cases among MSM compared to last year, continuing a six year trend of early syphilis cases concentrated among MSM.

Health officials point out that untreated syphilis can lead to some of the most serious health consequences such as blindness, mental illness, dementia and death. There is a 2 to 5 fold increased risk of getting HIV infection when syphilis is present.

“To help prevent STDs from spreading, a key strategy is to get tested for STDs each year even if you don’t have symptoms,” said Carr. “This recommendation applies to all women 25 and younger who are sexually active or women over age 25 who have risk factors such as a new partner. Also, if infected, it is important for partners to be notified about the need to get tested and treated. One of the best ways to avoid becoming infected with an STD is to always use a latex condom.”

To help reach sexual partners of STD infected patients, the MDH Partner Services Program provides follow-up services for people with HIV, syphilis and antibiotic-resistant gonorrhea and their sexual partners who may need examination and treatment. They also provide follow-up to referred Chlamydia- and gonorrhea-infected patients who have not been treated. Partner referral cards are available to clinics from MDH to help clients notify their partners anonymously.

To help create awareness about STDs in Minnesota, MDH will launch a statewide STD public service campaign during National STD Awareness Month in April. In addition, the state's syphilis elimination efforts will continue through the Red Door Clinic, which will conduct syphilis testing and education programs for at risk populations. The MDH will continue to support chlamydia and gonorrhea screening clinics serving areas with the highest rates of infection.

The complete STD Surveillance Report – 2007, STD fact sheets, and information about National STD Awareness Month (April) can be found on the MDH website at: http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/dtopics/stds/index.html.

The new CDC treatment guidelines for STDs are available online at: http://www.cdc.gov/STD/treatment/default.htm.

For confidential information about the prevention, testing locations and treatment of STDs, call the Minnesota Family Planning & STD Hotline, toll free, at 1-800-78-FACTS (voice or TTY), 651-645-9360 (Twin Cities Metro area).

-MDH-

For more information, contact:

Doug Schultz
MDH Communications
651-201-4993

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