The number of sexually transmitted infections is on the rise in northeast Indiana, according to stats from the Fort Wayne-Allen County Department of Health.
Chlamydia and gonorrhea cases have gradually risen for years. 64 more cases of gonorrhea were reported between 2016 and ‘17; that’s 13 times more than the previous year.
Allen County Health Commissioner Deb McMahan says she believes the increase in STI cases could be tied back to northeast Indiana’s drug crisis.
“Perhaps there’s a more casual exchange of sex for drugs; not like prostitution with pimps or that sort of thing, but casual exchanges," said McMahan. "I don’t know that we know that to be true, but I think we have an issue here and need to get on top of this.”
Hepatitis C cases are also on the rise. While 300 were reported in 2016, 357 were reported last year with 29 pending review.
