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Infectious diseases on the rise among injection drug users in Hamilton: public health department

Hamilton Public Health is concerned that infectious diseases may be on the rise among drug users in the area. Global News / File

Hamilton’s public health department has issued a warning to people who inject drugs in the city.

The public health department is investigating an increasing trend in the number of newly diagnosed HIV cases and invasive Group A Strep cases among Hamilton drug users.

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Since September 2018, the public health department says there have been 16 new HIV diagnoses, with almost half being injection drug users, while 40 cases of Group A Strep have been reported, including 12 people who inject drugs.

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As a result, public health staff and partner agencies are working to prevent the spread of illness and build pathways to treatment.

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The public health department says people who inject drugs that have signs of an infected wound should see a health-care provider right away.

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