Health workers to retest those close to HIV outbreak

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - State health officials will retest nearly 300 "high-risk" people close to those who have tested positive in the southeastern Indiana HIV outbreak.

The Indiana State Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Friday that 10 specialists will be sent to the area to administer the tests through Nov. 22.

HIV can take as long as three months to be diagnosed. Those who share needles, have unprotected sex, or frequent prostitutes are more susceptible to contracting the virus.

Public health workers also will set up a "one-stop shop" to help those who test positive for the virus in Scott County, one of the hardest hit areas.

Health officials say so far 181 people have tested positive for the virus.