In a press briefing on Thursday, Indiana Governor Mike Pence declared a public health emergency after an HIV outbreak, after which the State health officials have begun work to stop the spread of the virus.
He also granted a needle-exchange program for 30 days, he said, the sole purpose of the program is to stop the spread of the virus. In the press conference he also confirmed that he is declaring the situation as ‘epidemic’ and he doesn’t want the needle exchange program to become an ‘anti-drug policy’. He had also confirmed that, he will veto if any lawmaker sends it as a legislation to his office.
It was reported that the health officials in the state recorded 79 HIV cases related to IV drug use in Scott County. According to the health officials it was only 5 persons annually till now. Though Pence doesn’t support the needle exchange program, yet he said, “This is a public health emergency.” Then he warned that, “This is not a Scott County problem. This is an Indiana problem.” Health officials said, there will be a command center to coordinate the HIV treatment and substance abuse treatment.
In a statement the Indiana Health Department said, they will supervise a “short-term needle exchange program for the sole purpose of containing the epidemic.”
Pence said, “The people of Scott County are working hard to address this crisis, and with additional state resources and new tools provided by this emergency declaration, I am confident that together we will stop this HIV outbreak in its tracks.” It was previously reported that the health officials asked for a needle exchange program to curb the outbreak. After having a three hours hearing on Wednesday a House Panel granted the program.
It was reported that the spreading of the diseases was first identified in December. According to the health officials 72 people had been identified with HIV virus in five counties in the area. Most of the people were from the Scott County. Health officials said, most of the cases were linked back to intravenous drug use. State officials are suggesting that more cases will come forward in the coming weeks. But many health officials are also suggesting that, a 30-day program is not going to be enough to tackle the problem. Clark County public health officer Dr. Kevin Burke said, “A 30-day program would be much too short. You’re not going to help those people long-term.” He said, the needle exchange program in one county is not going to curb the spread of HIV.
