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A total of 61 persons were found to be positive for the HIV antibody test in the second quarter this year, bringing the cumulative total number of reported HIV infections to 1 066, the Department of Health (DH) announced today (Friday).

The numbers of HIV infections and AIDS reported in the second quarter are the highest ever received in a single quarter since the surveillance system was established in 1984.

Twenty-seven AIDS cases were reported in the same period leading to a total number of 349 confirmed cases since 1985.

For this quarter, the ratio of reported male to female HIV infections is 3 to 1.

Among the 61 new infections, 42 (69%) of them were sexually acquired with heterosexual contact which remains the major route of transmission. Five of them admitted themselves to be homosexuals and one was an injecting drug user. Two of them were babies who acquired the infection from their mothers.

As for the remaining 11 cases, the route of transmission was not known.

Members of the public can call the DH's AIDS Hotline (2780 2211) for counselling, HIV testing, clinical treatment and general information on AIDS.

Reported data on HIV/AIDS are also released on a quarterly basis and can be viewed on the Homepage of the DH's AIDS Unit. The website address is http://www.info.gov.hk/aids.

End/Friday, August 7, 1998

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