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Fifty-seven persons were positive in HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) antibody tests in the third quarter of 2001, bringing the cumulative total number of reported HIV infections to 1 693, the Department of Health (DH) announced today (November 24).

Twenty new AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) cases were reported in the same quarter. This brings to a total of 544 confirmed AIDS cases reported since 1985.

The Senior Medical Officer (Special Preventive Programme) of DH, Dr Wong Ka-hing, said: "HIV is spread through the main routes of sex(homosexual or heterosexual contact), needle-sharing in injection drug users and from infected mothers to their babies.

"Of the 57 new HIV cases reported, 33 acquired the infection via heterosexual contacts and 12 via homosexual or bisexual contacts. Three cases involved injecting drug users and one case acquired the HIV infection perinatally."

"The route of transmission of the remaining eight cases were undetermined due to inadequate data."

The 57 cases comprised 39 males and 18 females, representing a ratio of 2.2 to 1.

Dr Wong said "The 20 new AIDS cases involved 16 males and four females. Ninety per cent got the infection through heterosexual contacts.

"In this quarter, the most common presenting AIDS defining illness is still Pneumocystic Carinii Pneumonia, closely followed by Mycobacterium Tuberculosis infection."

DH monitors the HIV/AIDS situation through a voluntary reporting system. The first cases of 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. Other information can also be accessed from the Homepage. The address is http://www.aids.gov.hk

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

End/Saturday, November 24, 2001

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