CHP reviews local HIV/AIDS situation in first quarter of 2022
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Reviewing the latest HIV/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) situation in Hong Kong, a spokesman for the CHP today (June 7) said, "Sexual transmission remained the major mode of HIV transmission. Members of the public should use condoms consistently and properly to reduce the risk of acquiring HIV."
Of the 85 additional cases, involving 73 males and 12 females, 47 (55.3 per cent) acquired the infection via homosexual or bisexual contact, and 11 (12.9 per cent) via heterosexual contact. The routes of transmission of the remaining 27 cases were yet to be determined due to incomplete information.
The new cases were mainly reported by three major sources: public hospitals, clinics and laboratories (38 cases); private hospitals, clinics and laboratories (19 cases); and social hygiene clinics under the DH (14 cases). Also, 50 of the HIV-infected people (59.5 per cent) have already received HIV specialist services at the DH or the Hospital Authority.
Eighteen new cases of AIDS were reported in this quarter, of which nine cases (50 per cent) were attributed to homosexual or bisexual contact, and seven cases (39 per cent) were related to heterosexual contact. In this quarter, the most common AIDS-defining illness was Pneumocystis pneumonia, a kind of chest infection. Since 1985, a cumulative total of 2 338 confirmed AIDS cases has been reported in Hong Kong.
The spokesman said, "HIV is the cause of AIDS. Early HIV treatment with antiretroviral drugs effectively prevents progression to AIDS and other complications. Lifelong antiretroviral treatment is indicated for all people with HIV, and the treatment remarkably improves their health and survival. Moreover, infected people who achieve sustained viral suppression to an undetectable level with treatment will not transmit the virus through sex, i.e. Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U).
"Members of the public with a history of unsafe sex should take an HIV antibody test early. They can call the DH's AIDS Hotline (2780 2211) for a free, anonymous and confidential HIV antibody test. Key populations with a higher risk of infection should undergo regular HIV screening. HIV-positive people should seek specialist care and HIV treatment as soon as possible."
Since 2006, the CHP has been regularly conducting community-based HIV prevalence and risk behavioural surveys. The HIV Prevalence and Risk behavioural Survey of Men who have sex with men and Transgenders (PRiSMTG) 2022, which targets both men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender (TG) people, will commence tomorrow (June 8) and run until end-December. MSM and TG people will be recruited via websites, social media platforms, mobile applications, venues serving sexual minorities, and AIDS organisations. Participants will be asked to complete an online questionnaire on an anonymous, confidential and voluntary basis, and submit urine specimens for HIV antibody tests. The CHP appeals to members of the MSM and TG communities to participate in the survey. Details of the survey can be accessed from the designated website (www.prismtg-hk.com).
The public may also visit the following pages for more information on HIV/AIDS: the 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.gov.hk).
Ends/Tuesday, June 7, 2022
Issued at HKT 17:30
Issued at HKT 17:30
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