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PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The Multnomah County Health Department held at town hall meeting Monday night to discuss a rise in syphilis cases in the Portland area.
There were just 20 cases reported in 2008, but five years later that number jumped to 239.
KOIN reports (http://bit.ly/1DEFSEh ) health officials think the increase may be due to a decline in the use of condoms. Officials used the meeting to urge high-risk groups to be aware of symptoms and to get regular testing.
If untreated, the sexually transmitted disease can cause health problems including vision and hearing loss.
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Information from: KOIN-TV, http://www.koin.com/
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