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Forty-five persons were found positive in HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) antibody tests in the third quarter of 2000, bringing the cumulative total number of reported HIV infections to 1 491.

Twelve new AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) cases were reported in the same quarter. This brings to a total of 487 confirmed AIDS cases reported since 1985.

The Consultant (Special Preventive Programme), Dr S S Lee of the Department of Health (DH), said this at the Luncheon Meeting of Rotary Club of Kowloon today (November 23).

Dr Lee said: "Of the 45 new HIV cases reported, 31 acquired the infection via heterosexual contacts and seven via homosexual or bisexual contacts."

"None of the cases involved injecting drug users and no mother-to-child infection was reported. The transmission routes of the remaining seven cases were undetermined due to inadequate data."

The 45 HIV cases comprised 33 males and 12 females, representing a ratio of 2.8 to 1.

Dr Lee said: "The 12 new AIDS cases involved nine males and three females. Eighty-three per cent of the cases acquired the infection through heterosexual contacts."

Dr Lee said that HIV was the cause of AIDS and half of the HIV-infected would progress to AIDS in 10 years' time if without treatment.

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 Lee said: "Data on HIV/AIDS are released on a quarterly basis and can be viewed on DH's Homepage on AIDS. The address is 'http://www.info.gov.hk/aids'. Members of the public can request for free, anonymous and confidential HIV tests by calling DH's AIDS hotline (2780 2211)."

End/Thursday, November 23, 2000

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