UPDATE: Just confirmed, another person has tested positive for HIV in Penobscot County, bringing the total number of cases in the outbreak to 31, according to the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This alarming development highlights the urgent public health crisis that began in October 2023.
Nearly all individuals affected in this outbreak have reported a history of injecting drugs or recent homelessness. Public health officials warn that the actual number of cases could be significantly higher than reported, prompting community organizations across Maine to intensify testing and prevention efforts.
The latest case emerges shortly after the Maine CDC identified five additional cases this year in Cumberland County related to individuals who inject drugs. Meanwhile, representatives from the federal CDC are currently on a three-week visit to Penobscot County to assist in the response to this escalating HIV crisis.
HIV, which attacks the immune system, interferes with the body’s ability to combat infections and diseases. While there is no known cure, effective medication is available to manage the disease. Typically, Penobscot County sees only two new HIV cases annually, underscoring the severity of this outbreak.
The Maine CDC reports that nearly all of the HIV-positive individuals in this outbreak also tested positive for hepatitis C, a liver disease that can lead to serious long-term health issues, including liver cancer. In a positive development, 65% of HIV patients in this outbreak have connected to care within 30 days of diagnosis, and 57% of those living in Maine have achieved viral suppression at their last test.
As testing and treatment efforts ramp up, health officials urge the community to remain vigilant. The situation remains critical and evolving, with further updates expected as officials continue to monitor the outbreak.
Stay informed and share this urgent information to help raise awareness about the ongoing health crisis in Penobscot County.
