Skip to main content

You make this possible. Support our independent, nonprofit newsroom today.

Give Now

Two more HIV infections found in North Seattle

caption: A smartphone app being developed at the UW could save the lives of opioid users who are experiencing an overdose
Enlarge Icon
A smartphone app being developed at the UW could save the lives of opioid users who are experiencing an overdose

Public health officials are concerned about a cluster of new HIV infections in North Seattle.

Earlier this month, officials confirmed nine new cases. Two new confirmed HIV infections bring the total to 11.

The infections have been linked to intravenous drug use. Some of the individuals are sex workers.

All of the people infected are homeless and living in either sanctioned or unsanctioned encampments, director of Public Health Seattle King County Patty Hayes said.

But the county has only been able to find and treat five individuals.

“We're out talking and working to make sure the rest of the individuals get into treatment,” Hayes said.

Hayes told county's Board of Health they’re operating two testing shifts a week at some homeless encampments. They’ve also instituted universal testing at the downtown King County Jail.

“We’ll begin outreach testing in Ballard next week in collaboration with the Reach program and we'll add testing at other sanctioned and unsanctioned encampments as we can,” Hayes said.

The latest response arrives in addition to expanded access to testing, sterile injection equipment and condoms.

The new HIV infections are concerning because they double the average number of cases among heterosexual IV drug users in the county.

Why you can trust KUOW