GILLETTE, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming will pay three years of salary and benefits for a county health department employee to focus on education, treatment and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases.

The state Department of Health will pay $97,000 a year to support a full-time employee in Campbell County.

Campbell County Public Health Director Jane Glaser says the employee will conduct STD testing, case management, condom distribution, and public education and outreach.

She says the county health department had to scale back on these areas after a position was left unfilled.

The state will reimburse the county on a monthly basis.

State health officials have recorded increases in STDs in recent years, including a rise in the number of syphilis cases across the state.

More From K2 Radio