CDC has issued guidance for health departments on handling a cluster or outbreak of HIV cases, defined as a "rapid HIV transmission among people in a sexual or drug-using network."
The importance of focusing on cluster outbreaks is evident from this sobering observation: "On average, HIV transmission in clusters is 11 times as fast as the national average, and some clusters have transmission rates up to 30 times the national average, or even higher." (Coordinating, Communicating, and Collaborating - The 3 Cs for Cluster Detection & Response, Slide 6, TAP-in webinar, 2023).
HIV CDR Guidance for Health Departments, developed by CDC in partnership with HRSA, HUD, NIH, and health departments, covers the following topics:
- Planning and Oversight
- Detection
- Investigation and Response
- Communications
- Community Partnerships
- Review and Prioritization
- Evaluation and Reporting
- Data Protection
Access our resources on cluster outbreaks, featuring sessions from recent Ryan White Conferences and the 2023 webinar Coordinating, Communicating, and Collaborating - The 3 Cs for Cluster Detection & Response, presented by the TAP-in technical assistance and training project for EHE jurisdictions. Included is a segment on the West Virginia's cluster, detection, and response.