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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (November 21) revealed that 96 people were tested positive for HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) antibody in the third quarter of 2006, bringing the cumulative total of reported HIV infections to 3,100.
There were 17 new cases of AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) reported in the same quarter, bringing to 841 the total number of confirmed AIDS cases reported since 1985.
Reviewing the HIV/AIDS situation in Hong Kong at a press conference, the Consultant (Special Preventive Programme) of the Department of Health, Dr Wong Ka-hing, said that sexual contact remained the predominant route of HIV transmission in this quarter.
"Of the 96 new HIV cases reported, 29 acquired the infection via heterosexual contact, 31 via homosexual or bisexual contact and nine via injection of drug," Dr Wong said.
The routes of transmission of the remaining 27 cases were undetermined due to insufficient data.
The 96 cases comprised 81 males and 15 females.
In this quarter, the most commonly presenting AIDS defining illness is Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection (TB), which is closely followed by Pneumocystic Pneumonia (PCP), a kind of chest infection.
Of the 3,100 cumulative total of HIV infections since 1984, around 76% acquired infection through sexual contact. Of them, 67% were resulted from heterosexual transmission. There were 152 infections which occurred among injection drug users.
The newly diagnosed cases of this quarter were reported by four major sources: public hospitals and clinics (48), private hospitals and clinics (17), Social Hygiene Clinics (13) and the DH's AIDS Counselling Service (9).
Cumulatively, the four sources have accounted for 45.2%, 21.5%, 14.6% and 12.6% of all reported infections.
Of the newly reported cases in this quarter, 67(69.8%) have received care at the HIV specialist services of the Department of Health or the Hospital Authority.
Seventy-six per cent of the reported cases in 2005 attended these services where effective antiretroviral treatment was offered according to clinical indication.
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.
Dr Wong said people could 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.
Information on AIDS and data on HIV/AIDS, which are released on a quarterly basis, can be viewed on the department's AIDS Unit web page http://www.aids.gov.hk.
HIV is the cause of AIDS and, without treatment, half of the HIV-infected people will progress to AIDS within 10 years.
Ends/Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Issued at HKT 12:01
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