24 new HIV cases reported in Indiana outbreak, 130 total

Austin, Indiana (AP) — Indiana health officials say there are two dozen new HIV cases in south-eastern Indiana, bringing the outbreak’s total cases to 130.

The Indiana State Department of Health said Friday there are now 120 confirmed HIV cases and 10 preliminary positive cases. That’s up from 106 last week.

Those infected either live in Scott County or have ties to the area. The outbreak among intravenous drug users is centred in the city of Austin.

State Health Commissioner Jerome Adams called the new numbers a “significant increase.” Scott County typically sees only about five new HIV cases a year.

Governor Mike Pence temporarily waived Indiana’s ban on needle-exchange programs for only Scott County. Officials say so far 5,322 clean syringes have been provided to 86 participants. That’s twice the number previously reported.