LAS VEGAS (AP) — Southern Nevada consistently ranks high for STD rates, but health officials are stepping up public education campaigns as Clark County has the highest rates of syphilis in the nation.

The Las Vegas Sun reports Clark County ranked first in the nation for syphilis rates per capita in 2017.

The number of reported cases of syphilis in the county is steadily increasing, with nine cases having been reported in 2016, 20 cases reported in 2017 and 24 reported in 2018.

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection that can be cured with antibiotics if identified early on.

University Medical Center Dr. Alireza Farabi says the infection can lead to other complications in the long-term, including meningitis, dementia, blindness and hepatitis.