State health officials say 81 people have now tested positive for HIV as an outbreak of the virus in southeastern Indiana continues among intravenous drug users.
The state Department of Health said Friday there have been 74 confirmed HIV cases and seven preliminary positive HIV cases.
The agency says all of the preliminary positive cases so far have later been confirmed as positive.
All of the HIV cases have been linked to needle-sharing among intravenous drug users.
Scott County about 30 miles north of Louisville, Kentucky is the epicenter of the cases which have become Indiana’s largest-ever HIV outbreak.
Governor Mike Pence declared a public health emergency in Scott County on Thursday that includes allowing a limited need-exchange program there in hopes of preventing the virus from spreading further.
