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According to the Maine Center for
Disease Control and Prevention’s 2011 report on infectious diseases, the state
has seen an increase in illnesses associated with drug use and unprotected sex,
including hepatitis C virus (HCV) and gonorrhea.
In 2011, Maine recorded 12 cases of
acute, short-term HCV infection, compared to two cases in 2010, according to
the report. In most people, acute cases of the disease lead to chronic illness.
In Maine, newly reported cases of chronic HCV infection rose from 1,142 in 2010
to 1,184 in 2011. That count, which includes people who have ever had the
infection, exceeded reported cases of Lyme disease last year.
Although rates of HCV are highest
among baby boomers, Maine also is seeing the disease among younger people -
possibly indicating an emerging trend of IV drug use, according to state
epidemiologist Dr. Stephen Sears. “We’re looking at it very carefully,” he
said.
More cases of gonorrhea were
reported,especially in Androscoggin and Cumberland counties, ith the state recording
272 cases last year, compared to 162 cases in 2010. The highest incidence was
among people ages 15 to 24.
Chlamydia remained the most commonly
reported infectious disease in Maine in 2011, with 3,094 cases. Widespread
screening for the STD, which often does not cause symptoms, ut can lead to
infertility, means it shows up on health officials’ radar more than some other
diseases, Sears said.
In good news, Maine had the lowest
rate of tuberculosis in the country for the second year in a row.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is
dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and
empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV
virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
