*******************************
Seventy-eight persons were positive in HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) antibody tests in the third quarter of 2002, bringing the cumulative total number of reported HIV infections to 1 941, the Department of Health (DH) announced today (November 14).
Eighteen new AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) cases were reported in the same quarter. This brings to a total of 603 confirmed AIDS cases reported since 1985.
The Senior Medical Officer (Special Preventive Programme)of DH, Dr Low Hon-kei said,"HIV is spread through the main routes of sex(homosexual or heterosexual contact), needle-sharing among injection drug users and from infected mothers to their babies.
"Of the 78 new HIV cases reported, 42 acquired the infection via heterosexual contacts and 18 via homosexual or bisexual contacts. Four cases involved injection drug users, another case acquired the infection perinatally."
"The route of transmission of the remaining 13 cases were undetermined due to inadequate data."
The 78 cases comprised 57 males and 21 females.
Dr Low said, "Of the 1 941 cumulative total of HIV infections since 1984, around eighty-one per cent of all have acquired the infection through sexual contact, with about seventy-one per cent of them through heterosexual transmission. Fifty-two infections have occurred among injection drug users.
"The 18 new AIDS cases involved 17 males and one female. Around sixty-seven per cent of them were related to heterosexual contact."
"In the third quarter, the most common presenting AIDS defining illness was Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, 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 1984 and 1985 respectively.
Dr Low said, "Members of the public can request for free, anonymous and confidential HIV counselling by calling DH's Hotline (2780 2211). HIV antibody testing may also be arranged as appropriately through this hotline.
Data on HIV/AIDS are released on a quarterly basis and can be viewed on DH's Hompage on AIDS. Other information can also be accessed from the Homepage. The address is http://www.aids.gov.hk.
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, November 14, 2002
NNNN
