Indiana HIV Outbreak Latest News Update: 142 Cases & Growing

Two counties in Indiana are experiencing a rapid outbreak of HIV. As a result, Indiana declared a public health emergency in March, reports CNN.  

According to Latin Post, Scott and Jackson counties of Indiana have been showing increasing numbers of HIV cases. The Indiana State Department of Health currently has 142 people tested positive for HIV since mid-December of 2014, states NPR.

Latin Post reports that out of the 142 people with HIV, 75 percent are men. Meanwhile, 25 percent of the women diagnosed with HIV worked in the commercial sex industry. 

The outbreak is believed to be caused by an oral painkiller bearing the brand name Opana. NPR states that the painkiller contains oxymorphone, which drug abusers intravenously inject into themselves.  

According to CNN, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention held a news conference on Friday, April 24, 2015, to address the HIV outbreak. A report released by the CDC states that 84 percent of people infected with HIV in Scott County also have hepatitis C. 

CDC warns that if the abuse of opioid prolongs, it could lead to a national outbreak of HIV and hepatitis C - much like the one in Indiana.   

The report also claims that entire families sometimes share the prescription drug opioid. It states, "with as many as three generations of a family and multiple community members injecting together. 

Dr. Joan Duwve, chief medical consultant in the Indiana State Department of Health, said that families use the drug together as "a community activity." As a result, needles are shared which consequently spreads infection.  

Another cause for the rapid spread of infection is due to Opana's nature, reports CNN. The drug apparently needs to be injected more than once a day to maintain its effect, otherwise the drug user begins to feel sick or go into withdrawal. So, people who use Opana reportedly inject themselves with it four to ten times a day.  

To deal with the outbreak, the Indiana State Department of Health developed a "multi-pronged plan," states NPR. It includes a public education campaign, treatment centers, and a facility that offers immunizations. Job training is also offered since idleness is believed to cause drug abuse. 

A controversial Needle Exchange Program is also being implemented. This program will help decrease the amount of "dirty" or infected needles being shared, thereby decreasing the spread of the virus.