SCOTTSBURG, Ind. (WOWO): A public health disaster emergency has been declared in Scott County.

A recent HIV outbreak has reached epidemic proportions in the area.

Indiana‘s confirmed HIV cases have risen from 26 a month ago when state officials announced the outbreak to 72 now.

IV drug use has been determined as the mode of infection in nearly all of the cases.

Typically, fewer than five cases a reported a year in that county.