The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services warned Tuesday of an increase in diagnosed cases of syphilis, both nationally and in Montana, particularly among women.

Though syphilis is easily treatable, the growth in case numbers among women is particularly concerning because of the risk of passing the infection to newborn children, who could face serious complications or even death.

During the first couple of months in 2018, nine new syphilis cases were reported in Montana, according to the department’s press release Tuesday. This continues an upward trend in reported cases; there were 49 cases reported in Montana in 2017, an uptick from the average of 12 cases per year reported from 2014-2016.

Four of the nine cases reported this year are women. Yellowstone County reported two-thirds of this year’s cases, with others identified in Cascade, Gallatin and Lewis and Clark counties.

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease that can have serious complications when left untreated, but is simple to prevent and can be cured with penicillin.

However, congenital syphilis can occur when an untreated woman with syphilis gives birth. Up to 40 percent of babies born to women with untreated syphilis die from the infection as a newborn.

For more information on STDs, HIV, testing, and how to protect yourself, contact your local health department or visit: http://dphhs.mt.gov