****************************************

Fifty-two persons were positive in HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) antibody tests in the first quarter of 2003, bringing the cumulative total number of reported HIV infections to 2 067, the Department of Health (DH) announced today (May 19).

Fourteen new AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) cases were reported in the same quarter. This brings to a total of 627 confirmed AIDS cases reported since 1985.

A spokesman for DH 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 52 new HIV cases reported, 29 acquired the infection via heterosexual contacts and 11 via homosexual or bisexual contacts."

"The route of transmission of the remaining 12 cases were undetermined due to inadequate data."

The 52 cases comprised 38 males and 14 females.

The spokesman said, "Of the 2 067 cumulative total of HIV infections since 1984, around eighty-one per cent of all have acquired the infection through sexual contact, of them 71% were resulted from heterosexual transmission and fifty-four infections have occurred among injection drug users.

"The newly diagnosed cases of this quarter were reported by four major sources: public hospitals and clinics (27), private hospitals and clinics (6), Social Hygiene Clinics (12) and the Department of Health AIDS Counselling Service (7).Cumulatively, the four sources have accounted for 43.2%, 23%, 15.8% and 13.7% of all reported infections.

"Of the newly reported cases in this quarter, 38 (73.1%) have received care at the HIV specialist services of the Department of Health or the Hospital Authority. Eighty per cent of the reported cases in 2002 have attended these services where effective antiretroviral treatment is offered according to clinical indication.

"In this quarter, the most common presenting AIDS defining illness was Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, closely followed by Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection."

DH monitors the HIV/AIDS situation through a voluntary reported system. The first cases of the HIV and AIDS were reported in 1984 and 1985 respectively.

The spokesman added, "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 Homepage 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/Monday, May 19, 2003

NNNN