Figures through April of this year indicate that rates of some sexually transmitted diseases are on the rise in South Dakota.

State Epidemiologist Dr. Lon Kightlinger says syphilis rates haven’t been this high since the 1970s. There are 43 cases of syphilis in the state so far this year…

 

Kightlinger says most of the past infections came from out of state, but now it’s “homegrown syphilis.”…

 

Kightlinger says it is a disease that is often “in the shadows” and difficult to treat…

 

Cases of HIV and chlamydia are also increasing.