Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Friday, August 21, 2015
(MONROE CO.) - The Monroe County Health Department has declared a public health emergency because of an increase of hepatitis C.
The declaration is the first step toward creating a needle exchange. Hepatitis C is primarily contracted through intravenous drug use.
According to Monroe County Health Department Administrator Penny Caudill, hepatitis C cases in the county have increased more than 50 percent since 2009. The county is in the top ten counties in the state with their number of hepatitis cases.
Officials are taking steps to be proactive and stop the spread of the disease.
The next step is a public hearing and then a request for a needle-exchange program from the state.
Legislation passed this year allows counties to request permission from the Indiana State Department of Health to set up a needle exchange program.
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