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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) announced today (November 30) that 73 people tested positive for the HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) antibody in the third quarter of 2004, bringing the cumulative total of reported HIV infections to 2,457.

Fourteen new AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) cases were reported in the same quarter. This brings to 703 the total number of confirmed AIDS cases reported since 1985.

Speaking at a press conference today, the Consultant (Special Preventive Programme), Dr SS Lee said HIV was spread through sexual contact (homosexual or heterosexual), needle-sharing among drug users and from infected mothers to their babies.

"The predominant route of HIV transmission in this quarter remains to be sexual contact. The 73 cases comprised 52 males and 21 females," Dr Lee said.

"Twenty-five of these cases acquired the infection via heterosexual contact, 16 via homosexual or bisexual contact and six through intravenous drug use."

"The routes of transmission of the remaining 26 cases were undetermined due to inadequate data."

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

"Of the 2,457 cumulative total of HIV infections since 1984, around 79% have acquired the infection through sexual contact. Of those, 70% resulted from heterosexual transmission. The increasing number of HIV infection in drug users is a cause for concern," Dr Lee said.

"Of the newly reported cases of HIV infection in this quarter, 47 (64.4%) patients have received care at the HIV specialist services of the Department of Health or the Hospital Authority. Seventy-four per cent of the reported cases in 2003 received these services where effective antiretroviral treatment was offered according to clinical indication.

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

The public can request free, anonymous and confidential HIV counselling by calling AIDS Hotline (2780 2211). HIV antibody testing may also be arranged as appropriate through this hotline.

Data on HIV/AIDS are released on a quarterly basis and can be viewed on the Health Department's website on AIDS, www.aids.gov.hk. Other information can also be accessed on the website.

HIV is the cause of AIDS and, without treatment, half of those infected with the virus will progress to AIDS within 10 years.

Ends/Tuesday, November 30, 2004

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