The number of syphilis cases among Minnesota women jumped 62 percent in 2015 from the year before — the highest the state has seen in more than 20 years. Krissie Guerard is with the state Health Department and says “the largest increase we’ve seen is among Native American women with 28 syphilis cases reported in 2015 as of yet. Compared to just five cases in 2014.” Guerard says 87-percent of the cases were reported in the Twin Cities metro and 13-percent in Greater Minnesota. She says the increase in syphilis cases is occurring primarily among women of childbearing age in all racial and ethnic groups.