Pence: County's HIV Outbreak Is "Epidemic"

Indiana Gov. Mike Pence is preparing to declare a public health emergency in a southern Indiana county that's at the epicenter of an HIV outbreak tied to intravenous drug use.

Pence didn't specify whether the executive order he plans to issue will allow a needle-exchange program during a news conference in Scottsburg on Wednesday. He says he opposes exchanges as part of anti-drug policy but is listening to health officials on the best way to stop the epidemic.

"This is not a Scott County problem, this is an Indiana problem, and we are contemplating a robust expansion of the state's involvement in addressing this epidemic," Pence said Wednesday.

Health officials say 72 cases of HIV have been confirmed in southern Indiana and that all have ties to Scott County.

The number of cases is expected to rise. Officials are trying to contact as many as 100 people tied to those with confirmed infections. Another seven cases are awaiting confirmation.

Meanwhile, the House public health committee today took up an amendment that would allow clean needle exchanges to operate statewide. Jennifer Walthall, the deputy state health commissioner, told the committee that Pence is opposed to the idea, but would consider allowing an emergency exchange program in Scott County in order to combat the epidemic.

Pence has planned a 10 a.m. press conference Thursday to discuss the details of an executive order on the public health emergency in Scott County.

More background from WFYI News: 

HIV Outbreak Troubling Twist on Scott County Drug Problem