STD rates in Montana are alarming

The US is currently dealing with its highest numbers of reported sexually transmitted Diseases nationwide. The findings of the latest CDC were reported at the national STD prevention conference underwent in Washington.

According to the CDC, nearly 2.3 million cases of Syphilis, Gonorrhea, and Chlamydia were diagnosed in 2017. That’s 200-thousand more cases than the record set in 2016.
Expert says the number of STD Cases have increased 4 years in a row. Montana is one of the states where syphilis activity has grown over the past 2 years.

According to the Montana department of public health and human services, between 2014 and 2016, Montana averaged about one reported case each month. But in 2017 and 2018 that rate has grown to about one case a week on average.

Health officials say people most at risk are men who have sex with men. But this year adult women have been affected. That’s a concern because the disease can pose a serious risk for unborn children. Health officials say dating and social media apps have helped the spread of the disease.

Montana State, epidemiologist, Helena McCaffrey from  Department of Public Health and Human Services said, ” We want the rates down again like nationwide, we’re concerned about the number of rate of STD’s in Montana, and want to get the word out about testing. We urge all to work with our local health department on prevention activities so that we can reverse this trend.

Yellowstone county reported the most cases, 10 this year followed by Missoula with seven. Although, syphilis can be treated with antibiotics. However, some damage done by the disease is permanent.