CHP reviews local HIV/AIDS situation in 2022
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Of the 409 HIV cases reported last year, which involved 341 males and 68 females, 214 (52 per cent) acquired the infection via homosexual or bisexual contact, 102 (25 per cent) via heterosexual contact, two (0.5 per cent) via drug injection, and one (0.2 per cent) via blood or blood product transfusion outside Hong Kong. The routes of transmission of the remaining 90 cases have yet to be determined due to incomplete information.
Among the HIV cases reported last year, 102 cases were reported in the fourth quarter of last year. They involved 85 males and 17 females; 47 acquired the infection via homosexual or bisexual contact and 30 via heterosexual contact. The routes of transmission of the remaining 25 cases have yet to be determined due to incomplete information.
The new cases of the quarter were mainly reported by three major sources: public hospitals, clinics and laboratories (50 cases); AIDS service organisations (16 cases); and social hygiene clinics (15 cases). Also, 58 of the newly reported HIV-infected people (56.9 per cent) of the quarter have already received HIV specialist services at the DH or the Hospital Authority. A total of 292 newly reported HIV-infected people (71.4 per cent) of the year have already received HIV specialist services.
Regarding cases of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), nine new cases were reported in this quarter, of which four cases (44 per cent) were attributed to homosexual or bisexual contact, four cases (44 per cent) were attributed to heterosexual contact, and the route of transmission of the remaining case has yet to be determined due to inadequate information. In this quarter, the most common AIDS-defining illness remained to be Pneumocystis pneumonia. Since 1985, a cumulative total of 2 382 confirmed AIDS cases has been reported in Hong Kong.
Reviewing the latest HIV/AIDS situation in Hong Kong, a spokesman for the CHP 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. 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. Key populations with a higher risk of infection should undergo regular HIV screening, while people who had sex but do not belong to these key populations should consider getting tested at least once. They can visit the DH's AIDS Hotline website or call AIDS Hotline (2780 2211) for a free, anonymous and confidential HIV antibody test. HIV-positive people should seek specialist care and HIV treatment as soon as possible."
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, March 7, 2023
Issued at HKT 11:00
Issued at HKT 11:00
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