Penobscot County 2024 HIV Cluster

Maine CDC has identified an increase in new Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) diagnoses in Penobscot County, primarily among people who inject drugs (PWID) and people who are unhoused. Over the previous five years in Penobscot County there were an average of two new HIV diagnoses per year overall, and one new diagnosis per year among PWID.

In response to this increase in HIV diagnoses, Maine CDC is working with community partners to:

• Increase access to HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) testing among those at risk;
• Provide HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention services, such as post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), and safer sex supplies;
• Offer syringe services and other harm reduction services; and
• Link people diagnosed with HIV or HCV to medical care and treatment.

Data are preliminary and subject to change. Updated case counts will be posted each Thursday.

Cluster-Associated Case Definition

To be a cluster-associated case, a person must meet the definition for a confirmed HIV case AND meet both risk factor and exposure location criteria within one year prior to their diagnosis:

1. Risk factors
• Injected drugs OR
• Has been unhoused OR
• Was a syringe (or other injection equipment) sharing or sex partner of a person who injected drugs or was unhoused

AND

2. Exposure location
• Resided in Penobscot County OR
• Had exposures in Penobscot County

Testing Recommendations

• U.S. CDC recommends HIV testing at least once for everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 years old.
• U.S. CDC recommends HCV testing at least once for all adults aged 18 years and older, and for all pregnant persons during each pregnancy.
• U.S. CDC recommends HIV testing at least once per year for people with certain risk factors:
• Men who have sex with men
• People who have had anal or vaginal sex with someone living with HIV
• People who have had more than one sex partner since their last HIV test
• People who have shared syringes, needles, or other injection drug equipment
• People who have exchanged sex for drugs or money
• People who have been diagnosed with or treated for another sexually transmitted infection (STI)
• People who have been diagnosed with or treated for hepatitis or tuberculosis (TB)
• People who have had sex with anyone with the above risk factors or anyone whose sexual history they don’t know
• Maine CDC recommends HIV testing at least every three months for persons with ongoing risk factors. This recommendation applies statewide and is based on the possibility of increased risk related to this cluster of HIV cases. Maine CDC will continue to update this recommendation over time.
• When testing for HIV, include testing for other STIs (including chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis) and viral hepatitis (hepatitis B and hepatitis C).

Resources