New report released today indicates HIV outbreak in people who inject drugs in King County appears to be over, though population’s vulnerability persists

While the decrease in new cases is welcome news, much can still be done to lower risk for HIV transmission and assure that those who are HIV-positive are able to live healthy lives. Early diagnosis is critical to get people on treatment and virally suppressed. In King County, 85% of people with an HIV diagnosis are virally suppressed. People with virally suppressed HIV generally feel well and are unable to spread the virus to others.

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An update on the increased HIV risk among people who inject drugs in King County

As the Insider reported last summer, there has been an unusual increase in the number of HIV infections among people who inject drugs in King County. A new Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report article describes the increase in detail, and we summarize some of the key findings below: In 2018, a total of 30 women […]

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Possible risk of infections from dental clinic in Burien

Public Health – Seattle & King County (Public Health) advises patients who received dental services from the George M. Davis Dental Clinic in Burien, WA to consider being tested for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV infection. The George M. Davis Dental Clinic, in operation since 1982, has been closed following an infection control inspection […]

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World AIDS Day: An update on HIV in King County

Each year, World AIDS Day is a chance to take note of our successes, on-going challenges and opportunities responding to the HIV epidemic. World AIDS Day this year is December 1st. While the news is good in important areas, there are troubling issues as well. We sat down with Dr. Matthew Golden, MD, HIV/STD Control […]

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HIV cluster update: No new cases in past week

The investigation and public health response for the cluster of  HIV cases in north Seattle among heterosexuals who use injection drugs continues.  Most importantly, we have not identified any new cases of HIV transmission in the past week.  We did determine that one case diagnosed in early 2018 is linked to the cluster.  Therefore, the […]

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Public Health investigates HIV infection in heterosexuals who inject drugs

Public Health – Seattle & King County has recently identified an increase in the number of new HIV cases among heterosexuals who inject drugs in King County. HIV infection is typically much less common among heterosexuals in King County than among men who have sex with men (MSM). But the risk for HIV infection increases […]

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