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CHP reviews local HIV/AIDS situation in third quarter of 2016 (with photos)
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     A total of 190 additional cases of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection were reported to the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) in the third quarter of 2016, bringing the cumulative total of reported HIV infections to 8 243 since 1984.

     Reviewing the latest HIV/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) situation in Hong Kong at a press conference today (November 29), the Consultant (Special Preventive Programme) of the CHP, Dr Kenny Chan, said that sexual transmission remained the major mode of HIV transmission.

     Dr Chan stressed the importance of proper use of condoms in reducing the risk of contracting HIV.

     "HIV is the cause of AIDS and, without treatment, about half of HIV-infected people will progress to AIDS within 10 years. On the other hand, HIV treatment prevents AIDS and significantly prolongs survival," he said.

     "Members of the public with a history of unsafe sex should take an HIV antibody test as soon as possible. They can call the DH's AIDS Hotline (2780 2211) for a free, anonymous and confidential HIV test," Dr Chan said.

     "HIV-positive people should seek specialist care as soon as possible," he added.

     Of the 190 HIV cases reported in this quarter, 98 acquired the infection via homosexual or bisexual contact, 38 via heterosexual contact and one via drug injection. The routes of transmission of the remaining 53 cases have yet to be determined due to inadequate information.

     The 190 cases comprise 166 males and 24 females.

     The newly diagnosed cases of the third quarter of 2016 were mainly reported by three major sources: public hospitals and clinics (73 cases), private hospitals and clinics (40 cases), and AIDS service organisations (28 cases).

     In addition, 41 new cases of AIDS were reported in this quarter, bringing to 1 741 the total number of confirmed AIDS cases reported since 1985. Among the new cases, 39 per cent were attributed to homosexual or bisexual contact and 49 per cent were related to heterosexual contact.

     In this quarter, the most common AIDS-defining illness was Pneumocystis pneumonia, a kind of chest infection.

     Of the newly reported cases in the third quarter this year, 125 of them (66 per cent) have already received HIV specialist services at the DH or the Hospital Authority.

     The public may visit these pages for more information on HIV/AIDS: the DH's Virtual AIDS Office (www.aids.gov.hk), the Red Ribbon Centre (www.rrc.gov.hk), the AIDS Hotline website (www.27802211.com) and the Gay Men HIV Information website (www.21171069.com).
 
Ends/Tuesday, November 29, 2016
Issued at HKT 12:33
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The Consultant (Special Preventive Programme) of the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health, Dr Kenny Chan, today (November 29) reported on the local Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome situation in the third quarter of 2016.
The Consultant (Special Preventive Programme) of the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health, Dr Kenny Chan, pictured today (November 29) with a poster of condom mascots in support of World AIDS Day on December 1.