Men, looking to get laid this weekend? Avoid Minnesota! Syphilis infections among Minnesota women soared last year,

State health officials say syphilis infections among Minnesota women soared last year, an alarming trend because the sexually transmitted disease can pose a serious health threat, particularly during pregnancy.

The Minnesota Department of Health said Tuesday that preliminary data for 2015 show syphilis cases in women were up 63 percent compared with 2014. The increase occurred primarily among women of child-bearing age in all racial and ethnic groups, including pregnant women, the department said.

“Minnesota has not seen this many reported cases of syphilis in women in more than 20 years,” Dr. Ed Ehlinger, the commissioner of health, said in a news release. “We are working with our public health partners to address this significant increase and are taking the steps needed to curb it.”

If left untreated, syphilis can lead to blindness, brain damage, heart problems and even death. The bacterial infection can be passed along to the unborn children of pregnant women, leading to life-threatening conditions in newborns. It can also lead to premature birth or stillbirth.