Two HIV outbreaks in Minnesota highlight needed awareness
Updated: Dec. 3, 5:20 p.m. | Posted: Dec. 2, 2:21 p.m.
With World AIDS Day held on Wednesday, Minnesota health officials are highlighting two ongoing HIV outbreaks in the state.
There have been 86 cases reported in Hennepin and Ramsey counties since 2018 among people who inject drugs and are experiencing homelessness or unstable housing. Typically, that area sees zero to three cases a year among that population. The second outbreak is in the Duluth area, which has seen 22 cases since 2019.
People of color and young people are disproportionately impacted by the outbreaks.
Christine Jones with the Minnesota Department of Health said people who inject drugs and who are experiencing unstable housing are most at risk.
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“We really do need to reprioritize HIV prevention education, again, in our clinics and in our schools because HIV education is going to be key to ending HIV new infections in our state,” Jones said.
Jones added it's important to remind people that HIV is not the death sentence it used to be.
“For individuals living with HIV, we need to make sure that there is culturally appropriate access to health care," Jones said.
Correction (Dec. 3, 2021): A previous version of this story did not specify that the increase in cases is specific to those who inject drugs and experience homelessness. The story has been updated. The caption has also been updated to note the test is an HIV test.