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Sexually transmitted diseases continued to increase in Minnesota in 2018

The number of new sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) continued to rise in 2018, according to the Minnesota Department of Health’s (MDH) annual sexually transmitted disease (STD), HIV and hepatitis C statistics report. Of special concern were 10 congenital syphilis cases reported in 2018, a major increase from two in 2017. Congenital syphilis (syphilis in a […]

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The number of new sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) continued to rise in 2018, according to the Minnesota Department of Health’s (MDH) annual sexually transmitted disease (STD), HIV and hepatitis C statistics report. Of special concern were 10 congenital syphilis cases reported in 2018, a major increase from two in 2017.

Congenital syphilis (syphilis in a fetus or infant at birth) can cause serious complications such as miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, birth defects and infant death. Fortunately, the infection can be prevented with proper screening and treatment during pregnancy, said MDH State Epidemiologist and Medical Director Dr. Ruth Lynfield.

“We are working closely with clinicians, local public health departments, and other community partners to respond to this increase in congenital syphilis,” Lynfield said. “With ongoing increases in congenital syphilis, it is really important that pregnant women are tested for syphilis at least twice during pregnancy, and in some cases, a third time. It is important to diagnosis cases during pregnancy and provide adequate treatment to prevent complications in both the mother and infant.” 

The MDH report also showed that the combined number of new chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis cases in Minnesota increased by 3% in 2018 compared to 2017. HIV cases increased slightly with 286 new cases. Disparities remain among communities of color and men who have sex with men. Hepatitis C continues an upward trend, with 60 acute cases reported.

Key findings by the numbers:

There were 32,024 cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis reported in 2018 compared to 30,981 cases in 2017.

  • Chlamydia, the number one reported infectious disease in the state, increased by 2% to 23,564 cases in 2018.
    • The majority occurred in teens and young adults ages 15 to 24.
    • One out of every three cases occurred in Greater Minnesota, with four or more cases reported in every county.
  • Gonorrhea remained the second most commonly reported STD in Minnesota with 7,542 cases reported in 2018, a 16% increase.
    • Forty-two percent of all gonorrhea cases occurred among 15- to 24-year-olds and three-quarters of the cases occurred in the seven-county Twin Cities metro area.
  • Syphilis cases overall decreased 2% with 918 cases in 2018.
    • New infections continued to be centered within the Twin Cities metropolitan area and among males, particularly among men who have sex with men.
    • However, the presence of syphilis among females, especially those who are pregnant or of child-bearing age, is of concern.
    • Ten cases of congenital syphilis in infants were reported in 2018. This is a rate of 15.1 per 100,000 live births which is the highest Minnesota has ever reported and represents a 400% increase from 2017.
  • HIV cases remained stable with 286 cases reported in 2018, compared to 280 cases in 2017. This is below the five-year average of 296 cases per year from 2014 to 2018.
    • Males accounted for 76% of all new HIV cases during 2018.
    • Male-to-male sex remains the main risk factor for males of all ages.
    • More than half (59%) of new HIV cases are among communities of color.
  • Acute hepatitis C cases remained high at 60 cases in 2018 (59 cases in 2017).
    • The rate of acute hepatitis C infection is highest in American Indian Minnesotans.
    • Thirty-four cases (57%) reported injection drug use.
    • In 2018, the number of newly reported hepatitis C cases was highest in the 26-30 age group. This is the first year that newly reported cases in younger people surpassed newly reported cases in the Baby Boomer age group. The peak in cases among younger people indicates ongoing transmission.

“Untreated STDs, HIV, or hepatitis C can cause serious health problems,” said Christine Jones, STD, HIV and TB Section Manager. “Many of these infections have no immediate symptoms. The only way to know for sure is to get tested. Screening for these infections is easy and accurate.”

STDs, HIV and hepatitis C infections are all highly preventable. Effective prevention methods include consistent and correct condom use during sex and not sharing injection drug, tattoo and piercing equipment. Pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, is a daily prescription medication that can prevent HIV infection when taken consistently and correctly. 

MDH provides funding to many community-based programs throughout Minnesota to serve people who are more often affected by STDs, HIV and hepatitis C infections. These programs provide Minnesotans with prevention education, testing services, support for people who need care and sterile syringe access.

More information, as well as the complete Minnesota 2018 Statistics Reports for STDs, HIV and hepatitis C, can be accessed from any of the STDHIV or hepatitis C pages on the MDH website.

Information from CDC on testing for STDs can be found at Which STD Test Should I Get?

-MDH-

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Attention, Minnesota! Measles Outbreak Alert

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Minnesota –

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) confirmed measles outbreak. This highly contagious virus can be serious, especially for young children and those with weakened immune systems. Here’s what you need to know:

🔹 What is Measles? A viral infection that causes a high fever, cough, runny nose, and a characteristic rash. It can lead to complications like pneumonia and encephalitis.

🔹Symptoms to Watch For: Fever, cough, runny nose, and a red, blotchy rash that typically starts on the face and spreads.

🔹 Prevention: The best defense is vaccination. Ensure you and your family are up-to-date with the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine. It’s safe and highly effective.

🔹 If You Suspect Infection: Contact your healthcare provider immediately and avoid public places to prevent spreading the virus.

Your vigilance can help protect our community. For more information and updates, check with local health authorities and healthcare providers.

Stay safe and informed! https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/measles/index.html

#MeaslesOutbreak#MinnesotaHealth#VaccinateToProtect

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OGEYSIIS: XANUUNKA JADEECADDA OO MINNESOTA KU FAAFAY

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Minnesota –

Waxaad Tusmo Times uga barateen in aan idinla wadaagno oo aan idin wargelino akhbaar, warar iyo macluumaad la xiriira ammniga, bed-qabka bulshadda iyo arrimaha guud ahaan saameeya bulshadda Soomaaliyeed eek u dhaqan gobolka Minnesota. Haddaba maanta waxaan idinla wadaageynaa fariin, macluumaad iyo wargelin muhiim ah oo ku socota qoysaska iyo bulshadda Soomaalida oo la xiriirta caafimaadka.

Waaxda Caafimaadka ee Minnesota ayaa sheegtay in Cudurka Jadeecada oo bishii shanaad ee May ka bilowday gobolka Minnesota uu faafay, cudurkan ayaa ku faafay oo soo riday 39 carruur ah, sidoo kale tiradda carruurta ama dadka uu ku dhacay ama laga helay cudurka jadeecadda ee gobolka Minnesota ayaa 40 qof maraya sannadkan.

Ha’yadda Caafimaadka Aduunka ee (World Health Organization) ayaa sheegtay in 136,000 oo qof in ay u dhinteen cudurka jadeecada dunida oo dhan sannadkii 2022-ka.

Ururka Caafimaadka Aduunka ee WHO ayaa ku dhawaaqay sannadkii 2000 in cudurka Jadeecadda gebi ahaanba dalka Mareykanka laga tirtiray oo saameeyntiisa la so oaf-jaray. Balse sannadkii 2017-kii ayuu cudurku dib uga dilaacay gobolka Minnesota, wuxuuna ku dhacay 70 qof oo u baddan Soomaali. Sannadkii 2022 ayuu markale cudurku dib ugu faafay gobolka Minnesota markii laga helay dhowr qof oo dalka dibadiisa u safray.

MAXAY KA DHIGAN TAHAY WARBIXINTAN LA XIRIIRTA CUDURKA JADEECADA?

Jadeecadu waa xanuun la kala qaado oo uu fayrus keeno, kuna faafa hawada, qofkuna qufac iyo hindhiso yeesho. Cudurka Jadeecadu waa caabuq uu talaal baajin karo.

Haddaba faafitaanka cudurkan jadeecada, gaar ahaan saameynta uu ku leeyahay carruurta Soomaalida oo iyagu u baddan 30 qof ee uu cudurku soo ritay ayaa la xiriirta, loona aaneynayaa talaal la’aanta ama carruurta aanan talaalneyn.

Marka ay qoysasku socdaalaan ama safar ay ku tagaan wadamo qaarada Africa kamid ah, carruurtooduna ayna talaalneyn waxay keentaa in ay qaadaan cudurka, kaddibna ku faafo qoyska iyo bulshadda inteeda kale. Waana mida keentay in uu mudo kooban cudurku ku faafo Minnesota, gaar ahaan carruurta Soomaalida.

Waxaa jira dugsi kamid ah dugsiyadda ku yaala gobolka Minnesota oo ay maamulka dugsigu iskood u xireen dugsiga si ay uga hortagaan faafitaanka cudurka Jadeecada.

Waxaa bilowday oo dib loogu noqday Iskuuladii. Sidoo kale waxaa jira goobo ay kamid yihiin XANAANOOYINKA, DUGSIYADDA, ISKUULADDA, GOOBAHA LAGU CIYAARO IYO XARUMO KALE oo ay si gaar ah carruurta Soomaalidu u tagaan, uguna xiran yihiin, waana arrin kordhin karta faafitaanka cudurka oo walwalkeeda leh.

MAXAY YIHIIN CALAAMADAHA JADEECADU?

Calaamadaha jadeecada waxay badanaa yimaadaan marka hal ilaa laba todobaad kaddib qofku la kulmo cid qabta cudurkan. Jadeecadu waxay ku bilaabantaa duuf sanka ah oo qofka ka dareera, qufac, indhaha oo casaan noqda. Dhibco yaryar oo cadaan ah ayaa kasoo baxa afka wixii ka danbee sadex maalmood marka calaamadaha la arko oo ay la socoto xumad yar (101-102°F). Finan badan ayaa qofka ka soo yaaca oo ay u dheertahay xumad baddan oo gaaraysa (104°F) taas oo timaada saddex ilaa shan maalmood kaddib marka calaamadaha u horeeyay la arkay.

Finanka qofka ka soo baxa ayaa bilaaba in ay yeeshaan meelo casaan ah oo wajiga ka soo baxa, kaddibna waxay ku faafaan jidhka intiisa kale. Ka dib marka finanku faafaan, waxaa dhici karta in ay finanka kala duwan isasoo gadhaan.

Dhibaatada iyo saameynta caafimaad ee uu cudurkani leeyahay waxaa kamid ah:

1. Caabuqa sanbabka (pneumonia) kaas oo keena in isbitaalka la isku dhigo, waana sababaha ugu waawayn ee ay carruurtu ugu dhintaan cudurka jadeecada, ama isbitaal in mudo ah loo seexiyo.

2. Barar maskaxda ah (encephalitis) ayaa iman kara, kaas oo horseedaya suuxdin, dhago beeli rasmi ah ama laxaad la’aan ku dhacda garaadka qofka.

SIDEE AYEEY CARRUURTU KU QAADI KARAAN JADEECADA?

Jadeecadu badanaa waxaa keena fayrus faafa oo ku dhaca tobankii qof sagaal qof oo ah kuwa aanan laga talaalin. Fayruska jadeecadu waxa uu ku gudbaa hawada maadama uu qufac iyo hindhiso wato. Carruurta qaaday jadeecadu waxay neefsadaan hawo uu la socdo fayruska cudurka keena. Qofka cudurkani uu ku dhacay marka uu taabto meel, tusaale ahaan marka ay taabtaan indhahooda, sankooda ama afkaba waxa ay ku reebaan fayruska. Dadku waxay dadka kale qaad siin karaan ama ku faafin karaan laga bilaabo maalinta afraad iyo wixii ka danbeeya oo dhan.

SIDEE LOO DAAWEYN KARAA JADEECADA?

Ma jirto dawo fayruska lagu dilo uu u gaar ah oo lagu dawayn karo caabuqa jadeecada. Balse waxaa jira ka hortag uu talaalku know ka yahay iyo isticmaalka Fiitaamiin A-ga oo taakulo kaalmo ah keeni kara. Balse Fiitaamiin A-gu kama hortago ama ma daweeyo jadeecada.Waxa ugu wanaagsan ee la hubo ee kahortaga keena waa Talaalka MMR-ka.

MAXAY QOYSKU SAMAYN KARAAN SI AY UGA HORTAGAAN JADEECADA?

• Talaalka MMR ayaa ah qaabka ugu wanaagsan ee la iskaga ilaalin karo jadeecada. MMR waa talaal amaan ah oo wax ku ool ah. Laba xadi ama laba jeer oo kala duwan oo Talaalka MMR-ka ah ayaa boqolkiiba 97% kahortagi kara jadeecada. Eeg ama waydii dhakhtarka carruutaada diiwaankaaga talaalka cunugaaga si aad u xaqiijiso in MMR iyo talaalada kale ee ay carruurtaadu qaateen. Carruurtu waxay u baahan tahay laba xadi oo talaalka MMR-ka ah; xadiga kowaad ama midka koobaad waxaa la siiyaa marka ay yihiin 12-15 bilood jir ka labaadna waxaa lasiiyaa mark ay lix sanno jir yihiin.

• La soco oo horay u qorshee haddii qoyskaagu uu diyaar u yahay in uu safar caalami ah oo wadanka looga baxo uu galo. Carruurta yaryar ee 6 bilood kayar waxay qaadan karaan talaalka MMR-ka ka hor inta ayna safrin si aad u taxadartaan oo caafimaadkooda u ilaalisaan. Carruurta waawayn waxay sidoo kale haboon in ay qaataan xadiga labaad ama qaybta labaad ee talaalka MMR-ka. Kala hadal dhakhtarka kuu daryeela carruurta wixii khatar ah ee carruurtu kala kulmi karaan socdaalka iyo safarka aad galeysaan.

• Waxaa dhici karta in ay jiraan xubno qoyskaaga ah oo aan lasiin karin talaalka MMR-ka oo ay ku jiraan carruurta, dumarka uurka leh iyo dad kale oo difaaca jidhkoodu diciif yahay sababo la xiriira caafimaadkooda. Haddaba haddii ay qoyskaaga kamid yihiin dad ku sugan marxaladahan caafimaad, fadlan la xiriir dhakhtarkaaga, kalana tasho safarka aad galayso iyo sidii aad caafimaad ahaan isku badbaadin lahaydeen.

Halkan kala soco warbixinta caafimaad ee ku saabsan faafitaanka Jadeecada iyo macluumaad muhiim ah oo la xiriira:

https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/measles/index.html

HADDABA HADII AAD QABTO SU’AALO LA XIRIIRA FAAFITAANKA CAABUQA JADEECADA AMA AKHBAAR DHEERAAD AH AAD U BAAHAN TAHAY FADLAN LA XIRIIR WAAXDA CAAFIMAADKA EE GOBOLKA MINNESOTA ADIGA OO WACAYA TALEEFANKA QAYBTA KA HORTAGA CUDURADA FAAFA 651-201-5414

AMA LA XIRIIR DHAKHTARKA DARYEELA QOYSKA IYO CARRUURTAADA.

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Minnesota overdose deaths held steady in 2022

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Widespread naloxone availability is a key response to average of three deaths a day

Overdose deaths held steady from 2021 to 2022, 1,356 to 1,343, marking a plateau after several years of sharp increases, according to the Minnesota Department of Health’s (MDH) Statewide Trends in Drug Overdose: Preliminary 2022 Data Update (PDF). At the same time, the preliminary data showed fentanyl-related overdoses continued to take a tragic toll, keeping deaths at a historically high level. 

Fentanyl, which is more deadly and 50 times more potent than heroin, has made Minnesota’s drug supply more dangerous. Fentanyl is now involved in 92% of all opioid-involved deaths and 62% of all overdose deaths in Minnesota, according to preliminary 2022 data. Opioid-involved deaths increased 3% (977 to 1002 deaths) from 2021 to 2022, according to preliminary data. 

“We are responding to the more deadly threat of fentanyl with several new tools for saving lives that were passed by the Legislature in 2023, such as expanding the availability of naloxone, and covering the costs of having it on hand, in school buildings, treatment programs, and during emergency and law enforcement calls,” said Minnesota Commissioner of Health Dr. Brooke Cunningham. 

Meanwhile, deaths involving prescribed opioids, heroin and methadone decreased. Deaths involving heroin fell to a 10-year low, decreasing 56% (103 to 45 deaths) between 2021 and 2022.

Psychostimulants (e.g., methamphetamine) and cocaine also contributed to the number of drug overdose deaths. Cocaine-involved deaths saw the largest increase of any drug category, increasing 27% (165 to 210 deaths).

Drug overdoses have a larger impact on individuals, families and communities than deaths alone. For every one drug overdose death, there were nearly 13 nonfatal drug overdoses in 2022. The number of hospital-treated nonfatal overdoses remained relatively stable, decreasing 5% from 2021 to 2022 (17,792 to 16,934 overdoses), according to the data brief. 

Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan’s 2023 One Minnesota Budget included over $200 million to address substance use and overdoses—with $50 million of that coming to MDH over the next four years. The investment addresses prevention, harm reduction, treatment and recovery. Additionally, the governor and Legislature passed a policy to reduce drug overdose deaths by requiring all schools, law enforcement officials, emergency responders and residential treatment programs to have naloxone on hand. MDH and the Minnesota Department of Education have posted a toolkit to help schools obtain cost-free naloxone and implement the new requirement. 

Additional state-led activities include expanding medication-assisted treatment, establishing new peer recovery support systems and launching the MN Naloxone Portal where mandated groups can access no-cost naloxone. Collaboration with other state agencies and federal funding partners help make this overdose and substance use response work possible.

-MDH-

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