Desert Resort's Syphilis Rate Alarms Officials

Palm Springs now has one of the nation's highest rates of syphilis, prompting a national alert asking health officials to watch for cases that may have originated in the desert resort community.

The venereal disease is spreading primarily among men who have sex with men, state and local health officials said. There is concern that Palm Springs, a popular destination for gay visitors worldwide, could accelerate the disease's spread.

Palm Springs reported 54 new syphilis cases in 2002 -- a rate of 75.5 cases per 100,000 population, health officials said.