ANDERSON — A public health emergency has been declared in Madison County because of a sharp increase in the number of Hepatitis C cases being reported in the county.
At the request of the Madison County Health Department, the Madison County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday approved a resolution for a declaration of the emergency.
The resolution says a needle exchange program is the appropriate medical response to the Hepatitis C epidemic.
As a result, the commissioners also approved submission of an application with the Indiana State Department of Health to start such a program for intravenous drug users, similar to the program operating in Scott County in southern Indiana.
The proposed budget for the needle exchange program for the remainder of the year is $13,000, with funding provided by the county health department.
“We’re seeing a consistent increase in the reported Hepatitis C cases,” said Kellie Kelley, public information officer for the health department. “We’re confident that Madison County is in need of an innovative program.”
In 2013, there were 70 new cases of Hepatitis C identified in Madison County. That number increased to 130 in 2014.
“So far this year we’re looking at new cases of 130 or higher,” Kelley said.
Kelley said Madison County ranks third highest in the state for prescription drug overdoses, behind only Scott and Starke counties.
“The rate in Madison County is twice as high as the state rate,” she said. “We want to lower those numbers.”
Kelley said the long-range goal for the health department is to establish a one-stop referral program to offer services for HIV, Hepatitis C and the state health insurance program and substance abuse treatment.
“We’re targeting areas in the county where we’re seeing the highest increase in Hepatitis C infections,” she said.
John Richwine, president of the commissioners, said he has talked with law enforcement officials who have confirmed the numbers of intravenous drug use in the county.
“This is a tragedy,” Commissioner Stephanie Owens, said. “We have to do what we can do.”
The health department is partnering with local hospitals, health centers and drug treatment facilities to implement a needle exchange program.
The hope is to have the needle exchange program operating by the end of the summer at up to four locations and if needed a mobile site.
“We can’t have barriers,” Kelley said. “Those exchanging needles will remain anonymous. There will be services available onsite to get people into treatment programs.
“We’re hoping to stop the spread of Hepatitis C,” Kelley said. “It will be a self-reported use and will be a one-for-one exchange.”
Each needle should only be used once, she said.
“Family and friends should encourage intravenous drug users to participate in the program,” Kelley said. “This is a life preserver.
“We’re not the only county working on a needle exchange program,” she said. “The drug users are economically depressed, suffering from mental illness, depression, cultural exposure and as a way of coping.”
Kelley said the increase in Hepatitis C among those in the 20-39 age group is because of sharing of needles and drug injection equipment such as spoons and tourniquets.
She said anything that would have blood on it could cause the spread of the infection.
Madison County has not seen an increase in HIV cases, as has happened in Scott County, which also has large numbers of Hepatitis C cases.
Hepatitis C is a chronic illness that can damage the liver and cause liver cancer, but Kelley said it can be treated.
“Treatment does reverse the previous damage,” she said. “Most people don’t develop symptoms. ‘
Kelley said it’s possible to contract Hepatitis C more than once because there is no vaccine for the virus.