As a result of increased HIV testing in southeastern Indiana due to
the large outbreak of the viral disease linked to injectable drug use,
health officials in Jackson County say there is a significant increase
in hepatitis C being reported in the county.
In fact, more than 50 cases of the disease are currently being
investigated, approximately 10 times the number of cases reported in a
month.
The Seymour Tribune reports: The
increase is being attributed to the ongoing HIV outbreak in southeast
Indiana, centered in nearby Scott County. That health emergency has
caused many people to seek free HIV testing which has led to more
Hepatitis C being diagnosed too, said Lin Montgomery, public health
coordinator with the Jackson County Health Department.
On Thursday, Indiana Governor Mike Pence declared a public health disaster emergency for Scott County.
Read more... Labels: HCV epidemic, Indiana, injection drug use (IDU)