HIV cases in Indiana spike to unprecedented levels causing a public health emergency

Health officials warn of injection drug use.

There has been an outbreak of HIV infection in Indiana, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). With a small population in Scott County of only 4,200 residents, the rise of HIV cases to 142 has alarmed health officials, calling it a public-health emergency. The spike in cases are seen as linked to the growing epidemic of drug abuse nationwide, according to health experts.

span style="line-height: 15.8599996566772px;">MUNTINLUPA, PHILIPPINES (Catholic Online) - "There are children, and parents and grandparents who live in the same house who are injecting drugs together sort of as a community activity," said the chief medical consultant for the Indiana State Department of Health, Dr. Joan Duwve, as cited by Time.

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In the press briefing, Duwve stated that drug abuse is observed rampant in Scott County, as in other rural communities of Kentucky, Ohio River and West Virginia. This is attributed to the scarcity of resources and lack of stable jobs, so most people, young and old, are spending their time injecting opioids.

It was said that the drug is being overprescribed and "flooding in the market," instigating the epidemic of the drug use.

In the report, men and women, ages 18 to 57, were diagnosed positive with HIV. No infants came out positive after tests, although a few pregnant women were, according to the health officials.

It was also found out that 80 percent of the diagnosed infected with HIV are also involved with injection drug use. They are also said to be dissolving and injecting oxymorphone, while some are reported as using heroin and methamphetamine.

About 3,900 new HIV cases annually are linked to the epidemic of injection-drug use as estimated by the CDC. Health officials are now working hand-in-hand in the outbreak control.

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