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Forty persons were found positive in HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) antibody tests in the first quarter of 2000, bringing the cumulative total number of reported HIV infections to 1 399, the Department of Health (DH) announced today (May 4).
Twenty-two new AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) cases were reported in the same quarter. This brings to a total of 455 confirmed AIDS cases reported since 1985.
The Consultant (Special Preventive Programme) of DH, Dr Wong Ka-hing, said: "Of the 40 HIV new cases reported, 30 acquired the infection via heterosexual contacts and four via homosexual or bisexual contacts.
"One other case involved an injecting drug user.
"The transmission routes for the remaining five were undetermined due to inadequate data.
"The 40 cases involved 32 males and eight females, representing a ratio of
4 to 1."
For the cumulative total of 1 399 HIV infections, 82 per cent acquired the infection through sexual contacts, including two thirds through heterosexual transmission. Twenty-four cases occurred among injecting drug users. Ten babies were infected through mother-to-infant transmission.
The 22 new AIDS cases involved 21 males and one female. Eighty-two per cent got the infection through heterosexual contacts.
DH monitors the HIV/AIDS situation through a voluntary reporting system. The first cases of the HIV and AIDS were reported in Hong Kong in 1984 and 1985 respectively.
Dr Wong said: "Members of the public can request for free, anonymous and confidential HIV tests by calling DH's AIDS Hotline (2780 2211)."
Data on HIV/AIDS are released on a quarterly basis and can be viewed on DH's Homepage on AIDS. The address is
HIV is the cause of AIDS and half of the HIV-infected will progress to AIDS in 10 years' time if without treatment.
End/Thursday, May 4, 2000
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