********************************************
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (August 30) revealed that 111 people tested positive for HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus - the cause of AIDS) antibody - in the second quarter of 2007, bringing the cumulative total of reported HIV infections to 3,400.
There were 18 new cases of AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) reported in the second quarter, bringing the total number of confirmed AIDS cases reported since 1985 to 893.
Speaking at a press conference, the Consultant (Special Preventive Programme) of the Department of Health, Dr Wong Ka-hing, said CHP had detected one more cluster of eight reported cases of HIV-1 Subtype B, a type of HIV infection with similar gene sequencing, this quarter.
They were all Chinese men aged between 22 and 42. These cases were reported between July, 2006, and May, 2007. All contracted the virus through homosexual and bisexual contacts.
The detection of this new cluster echoed the rising number of reported HIV infections in men who have sex with men. It suggested the presence of a local HIV transmission in Hong Kong.
As for the existing two clusters, one has expanded from 53 to 66 HIV infections and the other remained at 13 cases as of June this year.
Reviewing the HIV/AIDS situation in Hong Kong, Dr Wong said the predominant route of HIV transmission in this quarter remained to be sexual contact.
Of the 111 new HIV cases reported, 36 acquired the infection via heterosexual contact, 38 via homosexual or bisexual contact and 10 via injection of drug. The routes of transmission of the remaining 27 cases were undetermined due to insufficient data.
The 111 cases comprised 96 males and 15 females.
In this quarter, the most commonly presenting AIDS defining illness was Pneumocystics Pneumonia (PCP), a kind of chest infection, which was closely followed by Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection (TB).
The newly diagnosed cases of this quarter were reported by four major sources: public hospitals and clinics (50), private hospitals and clinics (23), Social Hygiene Clinics (14) and the department's AIDS Counselling and Testing Service (17).
Of the newly reported cases in this quarter, 80 (72.1%) have received care at the HIV specialist services of the Department of Health or the Hospital Authority.
Dr Wong called on people with a history of unprotected sex to go for an HIV test.
He also reminded them to use condoms for safer sex and reducing the risk of HIV infection.
They could also call the department's AIDS Hotline on 2780 2211 for a free, anonymous and confidential HIV test.
A wide range of HIV/AIDS related information can be obtained from the AIDS website (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/Thursday, August 30, 2007
Issued at HKT 11:50
NNNN
