HIV Continues to Plague Indiana, CDC to Arrive on Monday

The HIV outbreak in Indiana continued last week, with numbers shooting to 55 as on last weekend.

Health officials are concerned as this is the single largest outbreak. The epicenter of the current outbreak is being traced to Austin, a small town in the state's Scott County. Four other counties including Clark, Jackson, Perry and Washington have reported cases of infection. Given that Austin is located along the intestate 65, chance of rapid spread during transient is worrying officials.

The outbreak is being attributed to use of contaminated needles among drug users, particularly users of painkiller Opana, followed by unsafe sex.

"State health officials are working closely with local health departments, health care providers and others to contain the spread of HIV in southeastern Indiana. Disease intervention specialists are in the area, interviewing each newly identified HIV positive individual to obtain information about needle sharing and sex partners, as well as recommending care coordination services, medical care and HIV prevention information," the state's health department said.

While officials are working to quickly establish and reveal to suspects their status of infection, distribution of sterile needles among drug users is being contemplated as a pre-emptive to prevent further spread. Such distribution may however be hurdled by the law which restricts needles to prescribed use.

CDC officials are set to arrive in Scott County on Monday to assist state health officials in stemming the outbreak.