State health say a quickly spreading outbreak of HIV in the southeastern portion of the state.
There have been 26 confirmed and four preliminary HIV positive cases since mid-December. The large majority of cases are linked through injection drug abuse of the prescription drug, opana, in addition to a small number of cases linked through sexual transmission. Opana is a powerful opioid painkiller containing oxymorphone. It is more potent, per milligram, than Oxycontin.
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.
State health officials recommend that all Hoosiers know their HIV status through testing at a health care facility.
Hoosiers in the southeastern portion of the state, especially individuals who have engaged in high-risk behavior such as needle sharing and unprotected sex, are advised to get tested and then re-tested after about two to three months because HIV can take up to three months to appear in a person’s system.