Last week, another 24 cases of HIV infections were diagnosed in Scott County, IN, according to Indiana health officials. The outbreak is linked to abuse of intravenous prescription drugs and the jump in the number of cases is due to more testing resources.
The total number of known cases in Scott County is 130, which includes 10 preliminary positive tests. Scott County is in southern Indiana, just north of the Kentucky border. It is a rural area, with a population of about 24,000, but is in an area known to be a corridor for drug trafficking. HIV outbreaks occur more commonly in urban areas.
This is the biggest outbreak of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) in Indiana history. HIV can cause AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome), which was once a death sentence. But now antiviral drugs can keep the infection in check and people can live for decades being HIV positive but not developing AIDS.
The state of Indiana started a needle exchange program in Scott County on April 4. Normally, Indiana bans needle exchanges, but Governor Mike Pence authorized a temporary exchange program to address this HIV outbreak. Hypodermic needle exchanges are intended to prevent infections from spreading by intravenous drug addicts sharing their needles.
Since the needle exchange began in Scott County, more than 5,000 clean hypodermic needles and syringes have been distributed to 86 people and 1,400 used syringes have been collected, according to health officials.
The needle exchange program will cease on April 25, unless it is extended by the governor.
Abuse of prescription drugs, either swallowed or injected, has been rampant in rural parts of the Midwest, such as Scott County. One of the drugs being abused is Opana, a prescription opioid tablet that is ground up, mixed with water, and injected for a very potent high. According to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, intravenous drug use causes 10% of new HIV cases in the United States.