Number Of HIV Cases Growing In Southeastern Indiana

The number of HIV cases in southeastern Indiana is increasing.  State health officials confirm the number has risen to 44 confirmed cases and one additional preliminary positive.

That’s up from 27 cases about a week ago. 

Deputy Indiana health commissioner Jennifer Walthall says the outbreak likely began in Scott County and is being spread through needles used to inject the prescription opioid drug Opana.

"This is different than what we’ve seen in the past in Indiana," Walthall said. "Specifically HIV is predominately sexually transmitted and this is the first one that we’ve known of that’s been predominately injected drug use related."

The Indiana state health department is considering the spread an outbreak because counties in the affected area typically see fewer than five HIV cases per year.