POCATELLO — East Idaho is facing a sharp spike in HIV diagnoses, with as many cases reported in the first three months of 2026 as in any full year over the past five years, public health officials warned Monday.

Eastern Idaho Public Health, or EIPH, reported seven new HIV infections in the first quarter of 2026 — equal to the annual average for the previous five years. Officials said the surge affects residents of both East and Southeast Idaho.

Public health officials noted that while HIV remains a serious chronic condition, it is both preventable and manageable with today’s available tools and treatments.

“Hearing that cases are increasing can feel scary, but it really comes down to awareness,” said Rachel Mugleston, EIPH health strategies program manager. “Getting tested for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections is just part of routine healthcare.”

Prevention strategies include using condoms correctly and consistently, never sharing needles, syringes or other drug injection equipment, and taking PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) or PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) medications, both of which can be prescribed by a healthcare provider. Effective treatment can also reduce the virus to undetectable levels, at which point it cannot be transmitted to others.

The only way to know your status is to get tested. Mugleston recommends that individuals between the ages of 15 and 65 get tested at least once as part of routine health care, with more frequent testing for those with increased risk factors. All pregnant women should be tested at their first prenatal visit and again in the third trimester if at increased risk.

Those at increased risk include people who inject drugs and their partners; people who exchange sex for money or drugs; sex partners of people with HIV; sexually active gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men; heterosexuals who, or whose sex partners, have had more than one partner since their most recent HIV test; and people receiving treatment for hepatitis, tuberculosis or a sexually transmitted infection.

Free testing options, including at-home tests, are available at LetsGetChecked.com/Idaho and Together.TakeMeHome.org.

In-person testing and prevention assistance are available at Eastern Idaho Public Health at 1250 Hollipark Dr. in Idaho Falls and Southeastern Idaho Public Health at 1901 Alvin Ricken Dr. in Pocatello. Testing is also available at any Southeastern Idaho Public Health office in Bear Lake, Bingham, Butte, Caribou, Franklin, Oneida or Power counties.