JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Syphilis cases are steadily on the rise in Mississippi, and health experts are working to decrease those numbers.

The state currently has one of the highest syphilis rates in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) STD Surveillance report. The sexually transmitted disease (STD) is caused by the bacterium treponema pallidum, which can spread through direct contact of a syphilis sore during intercourse.

“In the past six to 12 months, there’s been a significant rise, not only in individual infected with syphilis, but also babies being born with something called congenital syphilis, where the pregnant mothers had syphilis that was not properly treated, and it was passed on to their unborn child,” said Dr. Timothy Quinn, of Quinn Healthcare.

Doctors said having syphilis increases the risk of contracting or spreading other illnesses, including HIV.

The key to combat the issue is to inform the public. There are signs across the City of Jackson in an effort to promote awareness. Groups, including the AIDS Healthcare Foundation in Mississippi, work around the clock to provide resources like treatment and detection. They have two housing locations in Biloxi and Jackson.

“We offer treatment for for HIV and syphilis and hepatitis C and many other types of, you know, infectious diseases, as well, and general primary care,” said Dr. Nicholas Pukish, a physician assistant with AIDS Healthcare Foundation.

The foundation also has mobile care units that are dispatched within communities to provide free testing. The AIDS Healthcare Foundation Healthcare Center in Jackson offers free walk-ins for STD testing and treatments.

Healthcare providers urge the public to practice abstinence or use protection. They also urge people to get tested frequently and get treatment if they come in contact with syphilis or any other STDs or STIs.