Rural Outbreak of HIV in Injection-Drug Users

Syringe sharing was the major risk for HIV transmission; 88% had injected oxymorphone during the previous 12 months.

In January 2015, a disease-intervention specialist in the Indiana State Department of Health noted 11 newly diagnosed cases of HIV in a small rural county that had reported only 5 cases from 2004 through 2013 (NEJM JW Infect Dis Jun 2015, and MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2015; 64:1). By the end of February, more than 40 new cases had been identified, and on March 26, a public-health emergency was declared.

An ensuing investigation undertaken with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identified 181 outbreak-related HIV-1 infections from November 2014 through August 2015. Among the infected individuals, 96% reported injection-drug use, and 88% reported injecting oxymorphone, during the previous 12 months; 92% were coinfected with hepati…

Reviewing Author

Richard T. Ellison III, MD

Disclosures

Consult/Advisory BoardAcurx Pharmaceuticals, LLC;

Grant/Research SupportDoctors Company Foundation, Massachusetts Department of Public Health

Richard T. Ellison III, MD

Disclosures

Consult/Advisory BoardAcurx Pharmaceuticals, LLC;

Grant/Research SupportDoctors Company Foundation, Massachusetts Department of Public Health

Rural Outbreak of HIV in Injection-Drug Users

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Reviewing Author