Sexually transmitted infections are on the rise, putting more people at risk as they spread. Chlamydia rates have nearly doubled since 2000, while the rate of gonorrhea went up by 50% over the same period. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that syphilis rates are reaching levels last seen in the 1950s.
But some regions of the U.S. are seeing higher rates than others.
Stacker used CDC data to look at which parishes reported the highest rate of sexually transmitted infections in Louisiana. Parishes are ranked by the rate of chlamydia infections, the most prominent STI at the national level, with gonorrhea and then syphilis rates serving as tiebreakers. This story focuses on bacterial infections, which can be cured, rather than viral infections such as HIV and herpes. At the parish level, 2021 cases are the most recent available from the CDC, but state and national-level data for 2022 are also included. This story focuses on sexual transmissions and does not include congenital syphilis cases that were inherited from the mother.
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent the spread of STIs for people with multiple sexual partners, but research has found a decreasing rate of condom use among straight, bisexual, and gay male populations.
During the HIV/AIDS epidemic throughout the 1980s and 1990s, public health efforts advocating for condom use helped curb the spread of the virus. Today, however, condoms are no longer the only tool. Pills such as PrEP lower the risk of contracting HIV from sex by as much as 99%.
While more recent data is not available, the latest CDC survey from 2011-2015 showed less than half of unmarried men used condoms during the last time they had sex.
Among high school students having sex, the share using condoms has fallen from 60% in 2011 to 52% in 2021. While one-third of sexually active students used hormonal birth control, only 10% used both condoms and birth control. Methods like the pill and IUDs are effective at preventing pregnancy but do not stop the spread of STIs.
Chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis are technically bacterial infections—meaning they can be cured with antibiotics—but they can still have lasting health impacts, including pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility. These risks are heightened when left untreated, which many STIs are as they don't obviously present themselves.
The CDC recommends annual testing for cisgender women, transgender men, and gender-nonconforming people with cervixes. It also recommends annual testing for males with male sexual partners. People in these groups who frequently have sex with anonymous partners should be tested every three to six months. Anyone with symptoms should always get tested according to the guidelines.
The CDC says there is little evidence that screening among straight men lowers the spread, and the agency's limited budget is put towards programs benefiting the most at-risk groups. However, some public health groups advocate for testing among all people regardless of sex and sexual orientation.
Data from the National Survey of Family Growth shows men on average have more opposite-sex sexual partners than women, and some argue that catching STIs throughout a sexual network rather than just for the most at-risk groups could curb their spread.
Soon, a pill may also help counter the spread of STIs. DoxyPEP can be taken 24 to 72 hours after unprotected sex and stops an STI before it becomes spreadable and symptomatic. The CDC has shared proposed guidelines recommending it for men who have sex with men and transgender women. The drug was originally approved for treating inhalation of anthrax, and doctors can prescribe it for off-label use.
Read on to see how STI infection rates in Louisiana compare nationally, and the top parishes.
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Emma Rubin // Stacker
1 / 51State-level statistics
- Chlamydia cases: 788.6 per 100K (#1 nationally, 36,200 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 327.1 per 100K (#3 nationally, 15,015 cases)
- Primary and secondary syphilis cases: 26.7 per 100K (#9 nationally, 1,225 cases)
#50. Vermilion Parish
- Chlamydia cases: 519.2 per 100K people (297 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 265.7 per 100K people (152 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 15.7 per 100K people (9 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 8.7 per 100K people (5 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 7.0 per 100K people (4 cases)
JWCohen // Shutterstock
3 / 51#49. Lafourche Parish
- Chlamydia cases: 522.0 per 100K people (509 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 281.0 per 100K people (274 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 15.4 per 100K people (15 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 6.2 per 100K people (6 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 9.2 per 100K people (9 cases)
#48. Calcasieu Parish
- Chlamydia cases: 532.4 per 100K people (1,093 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 178.8 per 100K people (367 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 18.5 per 100K people (38 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 11.7 per 100K people (24 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 6.8 per 100K people (14 cases)
#47. Sabine Parish
- Chlamydia cases: 533.1 per 100K people (118 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 194.3 per 100K people (43 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 9.0 per 100K people (2 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 4.5 per 100K people (1 case)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 4.5 per 100K people (1 case)
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#46. Catahoula Parish
- Chlamydia cases: 533.8 per 100K people (47 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 272.6 per 100K people (24 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 45.4 per 100K people (4 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 11.4 per 100K people (1 case)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 34.1 per 100K people (3 cases)
#45. East Feliciana Parish
- Chlamydia cases: 574.0 per 100K people (111 case)
- Gonorrhea cases: 206.8 per 100K people (40 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 20.7 per 100K people (4 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 5.2 per 100K people (1 case)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 15.5 per 100K people (3 cases)
Nina Alizada // Shutterstock
8 / 51#44. West Feliciana Parish
- Chlamydia cases: 574.4 per 100K people (89 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 167.8 per 100K people (26 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 19.4 per 100K people (3 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 6.5 per 100K people (1 case)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 12.9 per 100K people (2 cases)
#43. Claiborne Parish
- Chlamydia cases: 584.1 per 100K people (82 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 228.0 per 100K people (32 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 7.1 per 100K people (1 case)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 0 cases
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 7.1 per 100K people (1 case)
JayL // Shutterstock
10 / 51#42. Evangeline Parish
- Chlamydia cases: 589.8 per 100K people (190 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 294.9 per 100K people (95 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 24.8 per 100K people (8 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 9.3 per 100K people (3 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 15.5 per 100K people (5 cases)
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#41. Avoyelles Parish
- Chlamydia cases: 614.2 per 100K people (241 case)
- Gonorrhea cases: 382.3 per 100K people (150 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 76.5 per 100K people (30 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 45.9 per 100K people (18 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 30.6 per 100K people (12 cases)
#40. St. Bernard Parish
- Chlamydia cases: 625.9 per 100K people (277 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 277.9 per 100K people (123 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 40.7 per 100K people (18 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 29.4 per 100K people (13 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 11.3 per 100K people (5 cases)
TLF Images // Shutterstock
13 / 51#39. St. Mary Parish
- Chlamydia cases: 626.1 per 100K people (302 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 308.9 per 100K people (149 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 31.1 per 100K people (15 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 18.7 per 100K people (9 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 12.4 per 100K people (6 cases)
#38. Union Parish
- Chlamydia cases: 630.6 per 100K people (133 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 350.9 per 100K people (74 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 9.5 per 100K people (2 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 9.5 per 100K people (2 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 0 cases
#37. Ascension Parish
- Chlamydia cases: 638.8 per 100K people (820 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 262.5 per 100K people (337 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 13.2 per 100K people (17 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 6.2 per 100K people (8 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 7.0 per 100K people (9 cases)
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#36. Washington Parish
- Chlamydia cases: 642.5 per 100K people (290 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 279.2 per 100K people (126 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 28.8 per 100K people (13 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 15.5 per 100K people (7 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 13.3 per 100K people (6 cases)
#35. Vernon Parish
- Chlamydia cases: 647.6 per 100K people (311 case)
- Gonorrhea cases: 118.7 per 100K people (57 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 27.1 per 100K people (13 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 18.7 per 100K people (9 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 8.3 per 100K people (4 cases)
Sabrina Janelle Gordon // Shutterstock
18 / 51#34. Webster Parish
- Chlamydia cases: 655.0 per 100K people (237 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 400.7 per 100K people (145 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 5.5 per 100K people (2 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 2.8 per 100K people (1 case)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 2.8 per 100K people (1 case)
#33. Acadia Parish
- Chlamydia cases: 659.8 per 100K people (378 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 357.8 per 100K people (205 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 33.2 per 100K people (19 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 24.4 per 100K people (14 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 8.7 per 100K people (5 cases)
William A. Morgan // Shutterstock
20 / 51#32. Jefferson Parish
- Chlamydia cases: 667.3 per 100K people (2,894 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 243.3 per 100K people (1,055 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 34.8 per 100K people (151 case)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 15.4 per 100K people (67 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 19.4 per 100K people (84 cases)
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Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock
21 / 51#31. Lafayette Parish
- Chlamydia cases: 671.2 per 100K people (1,639 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 353.4 per 100K people (863 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 39.7 per 100K people (97 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 21.3 per 100K people (52 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 18.4 per 100K people (45 cases)
#30. Terrebonne Parish
- Chlamydia cases: 676.1 per 100K people (735 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 333.9 per 100K people (363 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 23.0 per 100K people (25 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 10.1 per 100K people (11 case)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 12.9 per 100K people (14 cases)
Roberto Galan // Shutterstock
23 / 51#29. De Soto Parish
- Chlamydia cases: 683.5 per 100K people (184 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 274.9 per 100K people (74 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 18.6 per 100K people (5 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 7.4 per 100K people (2 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 11.1 per 100K people (3 cases)
#28. Concordia Parish
- Chlamydia cases: 685.7 per 100K people (126 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 391.8 per 100K people (72 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 49.0 per 100K people (9 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 32.7 per 100K people (6 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 16.3 per 100K people (3 cases)
#27. Tensas Parish
- Chlamydia cases: 692.6 per 100K people (28 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 123.7 per 100K people (5 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 0 cases
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 0 cases
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 0 cases
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Joseph Sohm // Shutterstock
26 / 51#26. St. Martin Parish
- Chlamydia cases: 712.1 per 100K people (367 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 393.9 per 100K people (203 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 15.5 per 100K people (8 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 7.8 per 100K people (4 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 7.8 per 100K people (4 cases)
#25. Ouachita Parish
- Chlamydia cases: 721.8 per 100K people (1,146 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 430.8 per 100K people (684 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 61.7 per 100K people (98 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 38.4 per 100K people (61 case)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 23.3 per 100K people (37 cases)
#24. Assumption Parish
- Chlamydia cases: 729.9 per 100K people (151 case)
- Gonorrhea cases: 275.5 per 100K people (57 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 9.7 per 100K people (2 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 0 cases
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 9.7 per 100K people (2 cases)
Brandy McKnight // Shutterstock
29 / 51#23. Winn Parish
- Chlamydia cases: 734.0 per 100K people (99 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 355.9 per 100K people (48 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 7.4 per 100K people (1 case)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 7.4 per 100K people (1 case)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 0 cases
#22. Bienville Parish
- Chlamydia cases: 735.8 per 100K people (94 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 281.8 per 100K people (36 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 39.1 per 100K people (5 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 15.7 per 100K people (2 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 23.5 per 100K people (3 cases)
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#21. Caddo Parish
- Chlamydia cases: 753.8 per 100K people (1,757 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 384.0 per 100K people (895 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 46.8 per 100K people (109 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 24.9 per 100K people (58 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 21.9 per 100K people (51 case)
#20. Iberia Parish
- Chlamydia cases: 761.1 per 100K people (525 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 468.3 per 100K people (323 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 36.2 per 100K people (25 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 23.2 per 100K people (16 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 13.0 per 100K people (9 cases)
#19. Pointe Coupee Parish
- Chlamydia cases: 766.4 per 100K people (156 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 265.3 per 100K people (54 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 44.2 per 100K people (9 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 34.4 per 100K people (7 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 9.8 per 100K people (2 cases)
ccpixx photography // Shutterstock
34 / 51#18. St. Landry Parish
- Chlamydia cases: 779.8 per 100K people (640 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 368.0 per 100K people (302 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 26.8 per 100K people (22 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 12.2 per 100K people (10 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 14.6 per 100K people (12 cases)
#17. East Carroll Parish
- Chlamydia cases: 803.3 per 100K people (58 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 332.4 per 100K people (24 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 0 cases
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 0 cases
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 0 cases
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#16. Lincoln Parish
- Chlamydia cases: 814.1 per 100K people (392 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 392.5 per 100K people (189 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 27.0 per 100K people (13 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 20.8 per 100K people (10 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 6.2 per 100K people (3 cases)
Jarred Armfield // Shutterstock
37 / 51#15. Morehouse Parish
- Chlamydia cases: 819.2 per 100K people (205 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 719.3 per 100K people (180 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 36.0 per 100K people (9 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 28.0 per 100K people (7 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 8.0 per 100K people (2 cases)
JB Manning // Shutterstock
38 / 51#14. Red River Parish
- Chlamydia cases: 832.9 per 100K people (63 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 423.1 per 100K people (32 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 13.2 per 100K people (1 case)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 13.2 per 100K people (1 case)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 0 cases
#13. West Baton Rouge Parish
- Chlamydia cases: 834.8 per 100K people (232 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 370.6 per 100K people (103 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 21.6 per 100K people (6 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 14.4 per 100K people (4 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 7.2 per 100K people (2 cases)
#12. St. James Parish
- Chlamydia cases: 835.8 per 100K people (165 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 339.4 per 100K people (67 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 15.2 per 100K people (3 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 0 cases
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 15.2 per 100K people (3 cases)
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#11. Richland Parish
- Chlamydia cases: 848.3 per 100K people (168 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 434.2 per 100K people (86 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 35.3 per 100K people (7 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 30.3 per 100K people (6 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 5.0 per 100K people (1 case)
#10. Franklin Parish
- Chlamydia cases: 849.1 per 100K people (167 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 239.0 per 100K people (47 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 15.3 per 100K people (3 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 15.3 per 100K people (3 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 0 cases
#9. St. John The Baptist Parish
- Chlamydia cases: 855.2 per 100K people (360 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 344.5 per 100K people (145 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 40.4 per 100K people (17 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 9.5 per 100K people (4 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 30.9 per 100K people (13 cases)
#8. Rapides Parish
- Chlamydia cases: 883.0 per 100K people (1,136 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 486.6 per 100K people (626 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 104.2 per 100K people (134 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 77.7 per 100K people (100 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 26.4 per 100K people (34 cases)
#7. Tangipahoa Parish
- Chlamydia cases: 943.7 per 100K people (1,276 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 514.7 per 100K people (696 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 24.4 per 100K people (33 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 14.8 per 100K people (20 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 9.6 per 100K people (13 cases)
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#6. East Baton Rouge Parish
- Chlamydia cases: 1,027.4 per 100K people (4,657 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 571.4 per 100K people (2,590 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 60.0 per 100K people (272 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 32.6 per 100K people (148 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 27.4 per 100K people (124 cases)
#5. Iberville Parish
- Chlamydia cases: 1,113.2 per 100K people (332 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 466.1 per 100K people (139 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 30.2 per 100K people (9 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 20.1 per 100K people (6 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 10.1 per 100K people (3 cases)
#4. Madison Parish
- Chlamydia cases: 1,143.0 per 100K people (112 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 449.0 per 100K people (44 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 71.4 per 100K people (7 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 61.2 per 100K people (6 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 10.2 per 100K people (1 case)
#3. Orleans Parish
- Chlamydia cases: 1,147.3 per 100K people (4,325 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 616.8 per 100K people (2,325 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 84.4 per 100K people (318 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 36.9 per 100K people (139 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 47.5 per 100K people (179 cases)
Sabrina Janelle Gordon // Shutterstock
50 / 51#2. Natchitoches Parish
- Chlamydia cases: 1,158.6 per 100K people (429 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 442.9 per 100K people (164 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 43.2 per 100K people (16 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 29.7 per 100K people (11 case)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 13.5 per 100K people (5 cases)
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#1. St. Helena Parish
- Chlamydia cases: 1,200.5 per 100K people (131 case)
- Gonorrhea cases: 549.9 per 100K people (60 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 45.8 per 100K people (5 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 36.7 per 100K people (4 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 9.2 per 100K people (1 case)
This story features data reporting and writing by Emma Rubin and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 49 states.
