Jackson County, IN: ‘There is a significant increase in hepatitis C’

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.

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