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CDC alarmed by increase in HIV infections in Indiana
by Joseph Earnest April 24, 2015
Newscast Media INDIANAPOLIS—The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are alarmed and investigating a large outbreak of recent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections among drug users who use syringes to feed their addiction.
Many of the HIV-infected individuals in this outbreak are co-nfected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). Indiana and the CDC have issued a health advisory to provide guidance to assist in the identification and prevention of future outbreaks.
As of April 21, 2015, an on-going investigation by ISDH with assistance from CDC has identified 135 persons with newly diagnosed HIV infections in a community of 4,200 people; 84 percent were also HCV infected. Among 112 persons interviewed thus far, 108 (96 percent) injected drugs; all reported dissolving and injecting tablets of the prescription-type opioid oxymorphone (OPANA® ER) using shared drug preparation and injection equipment.
This HIV outbreak was first recognized by a local disease intervention specialist. In late 2014, interviews conducted with three persons newly diagnosed with HIV infections in three separate venues (i.e., an outpatient clinic, a drug rehabilitation program, during a hospitalization) indicated that two of these persons had recently injected drugs and had numerous syringe-sharing and sexual partners.
Thee increases in HIV and HCV infections have been most substantial in nonurban counties east of the Mississippi River.
The CDC recommends that all that all persons diagnosed with HIV infection be tested for HCV infection. Add Comments>>
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