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Fifty persons were found positive in HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) antibody test in the third quarter of 1999, bringing the cumulative total number of reported HIV infections to 1 305, the Department of Health (DH) announced today (Friday).

Ten new AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) cases were reported in the same quarter. This brings to a total of 419 confirmed AIDS cases since 1985.

A spokesman for DH said: "Of the 50 new HIV infections reported, 30 were sexually acquired with heterosexual contact which remains the major route of transmission. Nine of the patients admitted themselves to be homosexuals or bisexuals.

"Another patient was an injecting drug user.

"As for the remaining ten cases, the information available was inadequate for classification.

"The 50 HIV infections involved 38 males and 12 females, representing a ratio of 3.2 to 1."

For the cumulative total of 1 305 HIV infections, 82 per cent acquired the infection through sexual contact, including two thirds through heterosexual transmission. Twenty-one infections occurred among injecting drug users. Nine babies were infected through mother-to-infant transmission.

DH monitors the HIV/AIDS situation through a voluntary reporting system, seroprevalence studies and unlinked anonymous screening. -The first cases of HIV and AIDS were reported in 1984 and 1985 respectively.

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

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

HIV is the cause of AIDS and half of the HIV-infected will progress to AIDS in 10 years' time if without treatment.

End/Friday, November 5, 1999

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