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Forty-nine persons were positive in HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) antibody tests in the second quarter of 2003, bringing the cumulative total number of reported HIV infections to 2 116, the Department of Health (DH) announced today (August 12).

Fourteen new AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) cases were reported in the same quarter. This brings to a total of 641 confirmed AIDS cases reported since 1985.

The Senior Medical Officer (Special Preventive Programme) of DH, Dr Chan Kam-tim 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 49 new HIV cases reported, 20 acquired the infection via heterosexual contacts,14 via homosexual or bisexual contacts and two cases of injection drug use."

"The routes of transmission of the remaining 13 cases were undetermined due to inadequate data."

The 49 cases comprised 40 males and nine females.

Dr Chan said, "Of the 2 116 cumulative total of HIV infections since 1984, around 80 per cent of all have acquired the infection through sexual contact, of them 70 per cent were resulted from heterosexual transmission and fifty-six infections have occurred among injection drug users.

"The newly diagnosed cases of this quarter were reported by four major sources: public hospitals and clinics (25), private hospitals and clinics (11), Social Hygiene Clinics (6) and the Department of Health AIDS Counselling Service (3).Cumulatively, the four sources have accounted for 43.3 per cent, 23 per cent, 15.7 per cent and 13.6 per cent of all reported infections.

"Of the newly reported cases in this quarter, 33 (67.3%) have received care at the HIV specialist services of the Department of Health or the Hospital Authority. Seventy-two per cent of the reported cases in first half year of 2003 have attended these services where effective antiretroviral treatment is offered according to clinical indication.

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

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

Dr Chan 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 without any treatment.

End/Tuesday, August 12, 2003

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