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A total of 373 new cases of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) were reported to the Department of Health last year (2006), the highest annual number recorded.
The figure showed a 19% increase when comparing to 313 cases in the preceding year.
Reviewing the AIDS situation in Hong Kong, the Consultant (Special Preventive Programme) of the Department of health, Dr Wong Ka-hing said at a press conference today (February 27) that sexual transmission had continued to be the major mode of HIV spread in Hong Kong.
In the fourth quarter of 2006, 98 people were tested positive for HIV antibody, bringing the cumulative total of reported HIV infection to 3,198 since 1984.
Of the 98 new HIV cases reported, 23 acquired the infection via heterosexual contact, 30 via homosexual or bisexual contact, 16 through drug injection and two via perinatal transmission. The routes of transmission of the remaining 27 cases were undetermined due to inadequate information.
The 98 cases comprised 83 males and 15 females.
Fourteen new cases of AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) were reported in the fourth quarter of 2006, bringing to 855 the total number of confirmed AIDS cases reported since 1985. Of the new AIDS cases, 29% were related to heterosexual contact.
In this quarter, the most common AIDS defining illness is Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection (TB), and is closely followed by Pneumocystic Pneumonia (PCP), a kind of chest infection.
Of the 3,198 cumulative total of HIV infections since 1984, around 75% acquired infection through sexual contact. Of them, 67% of the sexually transmitted infections were from heterosexual transmission and 172 infections had occurred among injection drug users.
The newly diagnosed cases between October and December, 2006, were reported by four major sources: public hospitals and clinics (48), private hospitals and clinics (20), Social Hygiene Clinics (10) and the Department of Health AIDS Counselling Service (8).
Cumulatively, the four sources have accounted for 45.3%, 21.5%, 14.5% and 12.5% of all reported infections respectively.
Of the newly reported cases in this quarter, 65 (66.3%) have received care at the department's HIV Specialist Services or the Hospital Authority.
Seventy-four per cent of the reported cases in 2006 had attended these services where effective antiretroviral treatment was offered according to clinical indication.
The department 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 with suspected risk should call AIDS Hotline (2780 2211) for counselling. 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 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, February 27, 2007
Issued at HKT 12:05
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