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The Department of Health (DH) announced today (Friday) that 46 persons were found to be positive for the HIV antibody test in the first quarter of 1999, bringing the cumulative total number of reported HIV infections to 1 192.

Eighteen new AIDS cases were reported in the same quarter, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 390.

A spokesman for DH said: "Of the 46 HIV infections reported, 32 were male patients and 14 were female patients. Twenty-eight acquired the infection via heterosexual contact and nine via homosexual or bisexual contact. One mother-to-child infection was diagnosed.

"The transmission routes for the remaining eight were undetermined."

Routes of transmission of the cumulative 1 192 reported HIV infected were : 664 through heterosexual contact and 317 through homosexual or bisexual contact; 17 were injecting drug users; seven were mother-to-child transmission ; and 67 acquired the infection through contaminated blood or blood products.

As for the remaining 120, the information available was inadequate for classification.

DH monitors the HIV/AIDS situation through a voluntary reporting system and seroprevalence studies. Reports are released on a quarterly basis.

DH's AIDS Unit operates an AIDS Hotline (2780 2211) providing information, counselling and voluntary HIV testing arrangements to members of the public who perceive themselves at risk of infection.

It also maintains an Internet Home Page on AIDS and the website address is http://www.info.gov.hk/aids

End/Friday, May 7, 1999

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