Hepatitis C Cases Spike this Summer in Dakota County, Minnesota

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CDC 09-16-10

MINNESOTA: " Hepatitis C Cases Spike this Summer in Dakota County "

St. Pioneer Press (09.03.10):: Maricella Miranda

Health authorities in Dakota County have seen an upsurge in hepatitis C

infections this summer, and they cite needle sharing among injection drug users

as the cause.

The Minnesota Department of Health (DOH) logged 16 new hepatitis C cases in

Dakota County in July and August, said Danila, the state's lead deputy

epidemiologist. The county saw eight cases for all of 2009.

Danila said those diagnosed this summer were ages 16 to 26. The average age of

those newly infected was 18; 13 of the patients were male, and most live in the

Hastings area.

At least 12 of the patients said they used needles to inject drugs, chiefly

heroin. News of the spike in cases spread by word of mouth among networks of

friends, prompting more to undergo testing, Danila said.

A state Department of Human Services report released in June said seizures of

heroin, along with arrests, are up statewide.

Danila said DOH is working with the Dakota County Public Health Department to

inform the public about the Syringe Access Initiative, which lets individuals

purchase up to 10 needles at once without a prescription.