A recent report from the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that a new case of HIV has been confirmed in Penobscot County, bringing the total to 31 cases linked to the ongoing outbreak. This outbreak, which began in October 2023, has been primarily associated with individuals who have reported injecting drugs or experiencing homelessness within a year of their diagnosis.
Public health officials have cautioned that the actual number of cases may be higher than the reported figures. Efforts to increase testing and prevention initiatives are being intensified by community organizations throughout the state as the outbreak continues to evolve. The latest case follows the identification of five new cases in Cumberland County among individuals who inject drugs, highlighting a growing concern across the region.
During a three-week visit to Penobscot County, representatives from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are actively assisting local health authorities in their response to the outbreak. HIV, which attacks the immune system and impairs the body’s ability to combat infections, has no known cure. Nevertheless, effective medication exists to help manage the disease.
According to the Maine CDC, Penobscot County typically sees only two new HIV cases each year. The majority of individuals diagnosed in this outbreak also tested positive for hepatitis C. This liver disease can manifest as a mild, short-term illness in some, while others may face significant long-term complications, including liver cancer.
Additionally, the health agency reported that 65% of HIV patients in the Penobscot County outbreak were connected to care within 30 days of their diagnosis. Currently, 57% of those living with HIV in Maine have achieved viral suppression at their last test. These statistics underscore the importance of timely medical intervention in managing both HIV and hepatitis C.
As the outbreak in Penobscot County unfolds, public health officials continue to stress the need for increased awareness and access to healthcare resources to combat this serious health issue.
