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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) announced that 65 people tested positive for HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) antibody in the first quarter of 2005, bringing the total of reported HIV infections to 2,577.
Five new cases of AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) were reported in the same quarter, bringing to 723 the total number of confirmed AIDS cases reported since 1985. Sixty per cent of the new cases were related to heterosexual contact.
Consultant of the department's Special Preventive Programme, Dr Wong Ka-hing today (May 24) said HIV was spread through sexual contact (homosexual or heterosexual), needle-sharing among drug users and from infected mothers to their babies.
"Of the 65 new HIV cases reported, 22 acquired the infection via heterosexual contact, 19 via homosexual or bisexual contact, six through intravenous drug use and one case of haemophilia (non-local)," Dr Wong said.
The routes of transmission of the remaining 17 cases were undetermined due to inadequate data.
The 65 cases comprised 55 males and 10 females.
In this quarter, Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection is the commonest AIDS defining illness.
Of the 2,577 HIV infections since 1984, around 78% acquired infection through sexual contact. Of them, 70% resulted from heterosexual transmission and 92 infections occurred among injection drug users.
The newly diagnosed cases for this quarter were reported by four major sources: public hospitals and clinics (38), private hospitals and clinics (13), Social Hygiene Clinics (4) and the DH?s AIDS Counselling Service (6). Cumulatively, the four sources have accounted for 44%, 22%, 15.3% and 13.1% of all reported infections.
Of the newly reported cases in this quarter, 44 (67.7%) have received care at the DH's HIV Specialist Services or the Hospital Authority.
The 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.
Physicians are strongly encouraged to report cases of HIV infection and AIDS through the DH's AIDS website (http://www.aids.gov.hk/report.htm). Comprehensive epidemiological data is crucial for surveillance of HIV infection and to formulate effective prevention strategy.
Dr Wong said people could request free, anonymous and confidential HIV counselling by calling the AIDS Hotline (2780 2211). HIV antibody testing may also be arranged as appropriate through this hotline.
Information on AIDS and data on HIV/AIDS, which are released on a quarterly basis, can be viewed on the DH's AIDS webpage.
HIV is the cause of AIDS and, without treatment, half of the HIV-infected people will progress to AIDS within 10 years.
Ends/Tuesday, May 24, 2005
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