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Here is the AP Retraction on the Story About Indiana and HIV Outbreak

Apr 20, 2:23 PM EDT

CORRECTION: HIV OUTBREAK-INDIANA STORY


INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- In a story April 17 about an HIV outbreak in southern Indiana, The Associated Press reported erroneously that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says between 50 percent and 90 percent of people with hepatitis C are also infected with HIV. The CDC says 50 percent to 90 percent of people with HIV who use injectable drugs have hepatitis C.

A corrected version of the story is below:

24 new HIV cases reported in Indiana outbreak, 130 total

24 new HIV cases reported in southeastern Indiana outbreak, raising total to 130

By LAURYN SCHROEDER

Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - An Indiana county at the heart of an HIV outbreak has seen a "significant increase" in the number of cases more than two weeks into a short-term needle exchange program approved by Gov. Mike Pence, state health officials said Friday.

The Indiana State Department of Health said there are now 120 confirmed HIV cases and 10 preliminary positive cases tied to Scott County, about 30 miles north of Louisville, Kentucky. That's up from 106 last week.

Health officials who declared an epidemic last month have said they expect the number of cases to rise as more people are tested. But the growing number could put pressure on Pence to extend the 30-day needle exchange program that he approved March 26.

Spokeswoman Kara Brooks said Friday that Pence is reviewing reports and recommendations from health officials and will make a decision early next week about extending the program beyond April 25.

The Scott County outbreak has occurred among intravenous drug users and primarily involves the use of the high-powered painkiller Opana, health officials have said. The county typically sees about five HIV cases each year.

Since Pence approved the temporary needle exchange, 5,322 clean syringes have been provided to 86 participants, health officials said Friday. About 1,400 used syringes have been returned.

Brittany Combs, public health nurse for the Scott County Health Department, said the needle-exchange program had "really picked up a lot this week," in large part because a mobile unit has been traveling around neighborhoods seeking to get more IV drug users into the program.

"It's that trust factor. You have to gain that trust, and I think we're slowly starting to do that," Combs said.

But the future of the Scott County program, as well as the fate of legislation that would allow needle-exchange programs in other counties, isn't clear.

Pence opposes needle exchanges as an anti-drug policy. Senate President Pro Tem David Long said Thursday that the emergency exchange for Scott County was "the right reaction" but wasn't sure if it is the correct approach long-term. Nor was he sure whether the Senate would support legislation sponsored by House Public Health Committee Chairman Ed Clere, R-New Albany, that would allow the 23 Indiana counties with the highest rate-per-population of hepatitis C to establish their own needle-exchange programs.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that between 50 percent and 90 percent of people with HIV who use injectable drugs also have hepatitis C. Health officials say because of this, high rates of hepatitis C are a key indicator of needle-sharing and a potential HIV outbreak.

The House approved the bill on April 7 in a 54-39 vote, and the measure is scheduled for a hearing Monday in a House-Senate conference committee, which will try to work out a final version for lawmakers to consider before the Legislature's April 29 adjournment deadline.

Long said Pence isn't alone in his concerns that needle exchanges could promote drug use instead of prevent it.

"At the same time, you adapt and you evolve based on the world we live in, so we're going to have to see if that requires a pivot for us," Long said.

Clere said he appreciates Pence's approval of the short-term needle exchange but that "it doesn't help in other areas of the state that are at risk for a similar outbreak. It's just not enough."

He said the association between needle exchanges and illegal drug activity makes many people, including lawmakers, uncomfortable. But he thinks the exchange program shouldn't be viewed as anti-drug policy, but as "a proven and effective harm-reduction policy."

"We simply can't afford to view this as a short-term problem," Clere said.

Money could also be an issue as lawmakers weigh their options. Since 1989, the federal government has banned public funding of needle exchange programs. Pence's executive order didn't include money for the Scott County program.

"They asked the state agencies to find their own money. How sustainable is that?" said Dr. Beth Meyerson, co-director of the Rural Center for AIDS/STD Prevention at Indiana University. "There's no evidence that the Pence administration is thinking about this in the long term at all."



9 Responses
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10175413 tn?1427170251


Wow, you would think that the stats of the story would have been verified first before starting a panic.......

Deb
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Avatar universal
I agree with everything you all have said. It makes me sad that we continually have to fight the stigma on top of fighting the virus.I wonder if that NPR piece is on line. Maybe we should be contacting them. Do you remember, hepcandme, if the reporter was Joanne Silberner? She is a medical reporter on NPR and is usually very very good and accurate. Her dad was the gastro who diagnosed me.
Helpful - 0
683231 tn?1467323017
Yes agreed they did a disservice to all.

I expect more from NPR
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6708370 tn?1471490210
Right, Lynn

No one deserves Hep C or AIDS in any case

What I did not say well is that implying that using needles is the only way one contracts serious illness continues the stigma

There are many ways that someone could have contracted Hep C and even the "risky" behavior you mentioned may not have been the reason you have Hep C

Could have been a blood donation or even having some major dental work done

NPR could have been more kind saying, there are many ways to contract Hep C...
Helpful - 0
683231 tn?1467323017
So does that mean I deserve Hep c since I did do something to contract the virus when I was all of 20 years old? A lifetime ago now.
Something I did all of 3 times?

But even if it was a hundred or a thousand. Or if even still currently do people deserve hep c because of behavior is it divine punishment?

Plus a couple of tattoos and Army air gun shots in order of decreasing probability.

I do know you didn't intend to say it like that but there it is still the division of the unlucky vs the sinner.

We need to all stand together even those that actually did get hep c from IV drug use vs the transfusion or needle stick we are all in the same boat.

Stepping down from soap box now  :-)
Helpful - 0
6708370 tn?1471490210
I heard a piece on NPR tonight about the needle exchange program and it def had the same "tone" - lumping HIV and HCV together. Although sharing needles is indeed a good way to contract both viruses and other things as well...

It made it sound as if That's how one gets Hep C. It was quite disparaging actually and kinda p*****d me off. And this from a news source that I find fairly balanced and thoughtful about not expressing opinions

It also made me appreciate all that AIDS patients have had to endure especially in the early days when no one would even touch them or hug them or share a cup of tea

Makes me want to scream sometimes - "The Entire Blood Supply Was Contaminated!  People did not "do"something to get this virus and they didn't deserve to get it!!"

Rant over. Carry on
Helpful - 0
683231 tn?1467323017
Yikes!

We sure don't need that kind of press!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal

Thank you Mom~ the previous release sure could have scared some from testing & definitely given inaccurate information! Mistakes happen, sure glad a retraction & accurate reprint was made. Thanks for contacting them & to all who wrote. For a worried mom, you sure help relieve worry for many! Not mention a stickler for FACTS!! Lol ;-)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you Associated Press and thank you to those who wrote and ask that this be corrected.
Helpful - 0
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