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Indiana Governor Mike Pence is declaring a public health emergency in Scott County because of an HIV outbreak. Seventy-nine cases have been confirmed thus far, however doctors expect that number to increase as they continue to contact people tied to the infected patients. Scott County health officials are laying some of the blame for this epidemic squarely on the public health system itself, labeling it “inadequate.”  They say it’s contributing to the recent HIV outbreak. They are also calling for an emergency needle distribution and collection program with the objective being “harm reduction.”

Pence says he’s working with health officials to find a way to stop the epidemic that is being tracked to opiate addicts. Opiate addiction and this HIV outbreak was noted by Pence as, “not a Scott County problem,” but a statewide problem. The CDC is now here in Indiana from Atlanta, working to end this crisis. Read Pence’s statement HERE.

Now more than ever before, it is critical to know your HIV status. Learn where you can take the test, HERE.

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