"In Louisiana, we're the state of the second highest rates of Syphilis in the country and like the rest of the country, we have seen a rise in Syphilis since the early 2000's as well as Gonorrhea and Chlamydia," said Van Sickels, M.D.



The state Department of Health and Hospitals sent a public health alert in March to medical providers and community leaders. It says from 2012-2014, Syphilis cases more than tripled in the New Orleans area.