Brown County has seen a slight increase in its Hepatitis C rates over the past year, now officials are trying to determine the cause.

The needle-exchange program will start next Wednesday and rotate between four sites in hopes of reducing the spread of hepatitis C among IV drug users.

Clark County Public Health Officer, Dr. Kevin Burke has already declared a public health emergency. He says the county's HIV and Hepatitis C rates are 25 to 30 percent higher than the state average.

Wayne County Health Department Director Eric Coulter told the County Council last week that the department's board is moving closer to asking the state health commissioner to approve a needle exchange for the county under the law that legislators approved this spring.