The US is in the midst of an “out of control” STD epidemic, with cases of syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia on the rise nationwide.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says gonorrhea cases spiked by 28% across the country in 2021, while total syphilis cases soared by a staggering 74%.

However, not all American areas are experiencing the same rates of infection, with new data breakdown by US News & World Report revealing the 10 states with the highest STD rates.

The publication compiled the list after looking at cumulative cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis per 100,000 residents — and it’s not good news for those living in the south.

Seven of the 10 states with the highest rates were located in the south, including North Carolina, which clocked in 10th, with a total STD rate of 922.2 per 100,000 residents.

New Mexico was ninth with an infection rate of 925.9 per 100,000 people, while Arkansas was eighth.

Georgia was in seventh spot, according to the analysis, with rates of chlamydia particularly pronounced in the Peach State.

There, chlamydia infection rates were 629.1 per 100,000 residents — far higher than other states which had more STD cases overall.

Meanwhile, Alabama and South Dakota were the sixth and fifth states with the highest STD rates respectively.

South Carolina clocked in fourth with an overall STD rate of 1,052 per 100,000 residents.

Alaska was in the third spot, largely due to sky-high rates of chlamydia cases, with the data showing 760.4 per 100,000 residents received positive results after testing for the infection in 2021.

Louisiana came in second spot overall with a total STD rate of 1,159.9 per 100,000 people. There, the chlamydia rate was 730.1 per 100,000, while the gonorrhea rate stood at a staggering 354.5 per 100,000 residents.

However, the data analysis uncovered that Mississippi was the state with the worst overall STD infection rate nationwide, with an overall infection rate of 1,266 per 100,000 residents.

In addition to location, there are also other factors that could increase exposure to sexually transmitted diseases, the CDC warns.

Young people are being urged to be particularly vigilant.

In 2021, 51% of all reported cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis were among young people between the ages of 15–24.

Meanwhile, gay men accounted for 36% of primary and secondary syphilis cases despite making up less than 5% of the American population.

1. Mississippi
2. Louisiana
3. Alaska
4. South Carolina
5. South Dakota
6. Alabama
7. Georgia
8. Arkansas
9. New Mexico
10. North Carolina