St. Louis leads the country in infection rates for two of the most common sexually transmitted diseases, according to an annual report released today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The city has been plagued with high rates of chlamydia and gonorrhea for years. Last year, nearly 7,500 new cases of the diseases were reported.

Reported cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis are on the rise across the country.

A record number of people were diagnosed with chlamydia in 2006. The total, topping one million in the U.S., is the highest ever for a sexually transmitted disease, according to the federal report.

The city's health department held a task force meeting today to address the issue.