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Report: 'Sharp Increase' In Some STD Rates In 2013

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The Minnesota Department of Health released a new report Wednesday that shows significant increases in the rate of some sexually transmitted diseases from 2012 to 2013.

According to the report, the rate of syphilis went up by 64 percent and the rate of gonorrhea went up 26 percent. However, the state's overall STD rate increased 10 percent.

There were 23,133 cases of reportable STDs (chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis) in 2013, compared to 21,465 in 2012. In 2011, there were 19,547.

Chlamydia is the no. 1 reported infectious disease in Minnesota and it reached a new high of 18,724 cases in 2013 -- up 4 percent, according to the report. The majority of cases were reported by teens and young adults, within the ages of 15 to 24.

Gonorrhea is the second most common STD in Minnesota with 3,872 cases reported in 2013, an increase of 26 percent, according to the findings.

Officials say the increase in STD rates shows the importance of prevention, testing and awareness.

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