article_snippet.sent: The CDC and state health leaders held a news conference Friday to talk about the new numbers and about the growing threat of the spread of disease from IV drug use, especially in isolated rural areas that have sparse health resources.
article_snippet.sent: people are also going door to door to try to educate the population about the danger of sharing needles.
article_snippet.sent: So people aren't as aware about the danger of sharing needles.
article_snippet.sent: Needle exchanges have been scientifically shown to reduce new infections.
article_snippet.sent: And this has led to more needle sharing, which spreads infection.
article_snippet.sent: Another reason infection has spread so rapidly is the nature of the drug itself.
article_snippet.sent: Often people'll turn to an injecting partner in the same house who will share people needle and people drug to give the person relief from these symptoms.
article_snippet.sent: The other problem with the drug itself is that the drug itself requires a larger-gauge needle that exposes users to more blood, which increases the risk of infection.
article_snippet.sent: the CDC worry about the spread of HIV and other diseases such as hepatitis C around the country as the number of illegal prescription drug users has grown.
article_snippet.sent: There has been a 150% increase in hepatitis C between 2010 and 2013, the majority of the increase believed to be from injection drug abusers, the CDC said.