There are now 120 confirmed HIV cases and 10 preliminary positive cases tied to Scott County , about 30 miles north of Louisville , Kentucky . Outbreak has occurred among intravenous drug users and primarily involves the use of the high-powered prescription painkiller Opana . Health officials who declared an epidemic last month have said they expect the number of cases to rise as more people are tested . Gov . Matt Bevin (R) is expected to sign a bill that would allow health workers in his state to prescribe opioids for pain relief without first seeking approval from local doctors or hospitals.
There are now 120 confirmed HIV cases and 10 preliminary positive cases tied to Scott County , about 30 miles north of Louisville , Kentucky . Outbreak has occurred among intravenous drug users and primarily involves the use of the high-powered prescription painkiller Opana . Health officials who declared an epidemic last month have said they expect the number of cases to rise as more people are tested . Gov . Mike Pence approved a short-term needle exchange program two weeks ago to help combat the problem .