News releases
Feb. 22, 2018: As HIV Cluster Investigation Moves into Second Month, Health Officials Increase Opportunities for HIV Testing
Jan. 9, 2018: Health Officials See Increase in HIV Infections Among Individuals Who Inject Drugs in Northern Kentucky
Oct. 23, 2018: Hamilton County & Northern Kentucky Health Work with CDC to Investigate HIV Cluster
Jan. 22, 2019: Health Departments Share CDC Recommendations to Address HIV Among People Who Inject Drugs
Current data
- Total number of diagnosed cases of HIV from 2017-2018: 90
- Number of cases in which injection drug use was reported as a risk factor for exposure: 49
- Number of HIV tests conducted by NKY Health in 2018 (as of Dec. 3, 2018): 1,495
- Number of HIV tests conducted by NKY Health in 2017: 1,369
- Number of people linked to HIV Case Management services that were diagnosed with HIV after January 2017 and indicated that injection drug use was a risk factor for their HIV infection (as of Dec. 20, 2018): 46
Information about hepatitis C in Northern Kentucky
Action steps
- Communicable disease investigation underway–including in-depth interviews with those infected and genetic testing of blood samples to determine if those infected in Northern Kentucky have the same strain.
- Working with those who are infected with HIV to ensure that they have access to appropriate care, both for infectious diseases and addictions treatment.
- Expanded opportunities for testing for HIV and hepatitis C, with targeted outreach to test individuals who inject drugs.
- Continuing to advocate for syringe access exchange programs to reduce the threat of diseases spread by injection drugs.