Over past 3 years, number of cases tripled

Maricopa County health officials are stressing the importance of safe sex in response to a recent increase in the number of syphilis cases among gay men.

According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, syphilis, a sexually transmitted disease caused by a bacteria, is on the rise in Maricopa County among men who have sex with men.

Freddy Roman, assistant director of Wellness and Health Promotion at ASU, said young people are not engaging in safe sex practices.

"Young people in general are taking risks that will expose them to sexually transmitted infections," Roman said.

In the past three years the number of syphilis cases among gay men in Maricopa County tripled, making 175 cases in 2006, the Arizona Department of Public Health stated.