County, state look into HIV rumors at SU
Syracuse University Health Services solicited the help of both the county and state health departments after speculation arose of an increased number of diagnosed HIV cases on campus.
‘It’s very important that we include the county and the state in investigating this false rumor,’ said Jim Jacobs, director of SU Health Services. ‘They are the ones who would know, and they have no evidence supporting this rumor.’
Both SU Health Services and the Onondaga County Health Department acknowledged the existence of an HIV outbreak rumor and the importance of an immediate investigation. They have come up with no credible evidence proving it true.
Jacobs said HIV is a reportable illness, and while Health Services would only know of a confirmed case if a student chose to report being HIV positive, both the county and state health departments have records of all confirmed cases.
Cynthia Morrow, commissioner of the Onondaga County Health Department, further explained that HIV is reportable by county of residence. She said most SU students consider themselves residents of Onondaga County.
‘I’m very confident that were there to be an increase in local cases of HIV, the health department would be aware of it,’ Morrow said. ‘If they are tested for HIV, and the test is positive, it is actually reported to the state health department, but the county health department is also informed.’
Morrow said she first heard speculation a couple months ago and immediately checked with the state health department. The state has an anonymous HIV clinic, and thus does not need to report those cases to the county health department. Morrow said the state health department told her it had no information to indicate any concern.
Morrow dismissed any practical way that the rumor could be true.
She said that if a student who does not consider themselves an Onondaga County resident tested HIV positive, their diagnosis would be reported to their county’s respective health department. But she said Onondaga County Health Department would still receive some type of report, and that has not happened.
‘Believe me, my staff is sensitized to SU,’ she said. ‘So if there was anything going on, I am confident they would know about it.’
Eileen Lantier, associate professor of health and wellness in the College of Human Ecology, said she does not know where the rumor came from, but regardless, students should practice safe sex.
‘One would hope that students are always aware of protecting themselves, and therefore it wouldn’t matter if there was an outbreak (of HIV) or not, because you are following appropriate protective matters,’ Lantier said. ‘Look out for yourself.’
Published on April 1, 2009 at 12:00 pm
