SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) Sexually transmitted infections, such as gonorrhea and syphilis, continue to grow by leaps and bounds in the Sioux Falls area.
"Looking at gonorrhea specifically, that rate of cases has nearly quadrupled since 2011," Mary Michaels with the City Health Department tells KELO.COM News that there were 376 gonorrhea cases last year, a new record.
In fact, Sioux Falls suffered an overall record number of STI cases in 2016. Cases of chlamydia, syphilis, and HIV were all at record highs last year.
"There has been a 104 percent increase in HIV, and 280 percent increase in syphilis," since 2011 says Michaels.
What's more, the incomplete numbers from this year indicate that 2017 could be another record year.
This is just not a Sioux Falls problem. Sexually transmitted disease cases also continue to explode across South Dakota.
The city has a special website - www.protectyourparts.org - to learn more about the problem, to take a risk assessment survey, and to get educated about prevention techniques.
.."the important thing is that we talk about it. Certainly, it is a sensitive topic, but it warrants the community’s attention.” says Jennifer Tinguely, Chief Medical Officer for the Sioux Falls Health Department.
