ANDERSON, Ind. (AP) _ Officials have declared a public health emergency in a central Indiana county over a growing number of hepatitis C cases.
The Madison County commissioners also voted Tuesday to seek permission from the State Department of Health for starting a needle-exchange program.
The (Anderson) Herald Bulletin reports (http://bit.ly/1MZJzeg ) the county had 130 new hepatitis C cases last year, nearly double its number from 2013. Health officials say high hepatitis C rates are often a precursor to HIV tied to needle-sharing among intravenous drug users.
Kellie Kelley of the Madison County Health Department says the number of people with hepatitis C continues to grow and officials believe the needle-exchange program can be a lifesaver.
More than 160 people have tested positive for HIV in a southeastern Indiana outbreak tied to needle sharing.
