CHP announces local HIV/AIDS situation for first half of 2025
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The 180 new HIV cases involve 140 men and 40 women aged between 20 and 75. Investigations revealed that over 95 per cent of the cases were infected through sexual contact, of which more than half (57 per cent) were acquired via homosexual or bisexual contact, and the rest were acquired via heterosexual contact. The number of new cases of HIV infection in Hong Kong has declined for the ninth consecutive year. Compared to the same period last year (185 cases), the number of new HIV cases has slightly decreased by 3 per cent. The cumulative total of locally reported HIV infections since 1984 is 12 583.
The new AIDS cases include 33 men and 14 women. Since 1985, a cumulative total of 2 604 AIDS cases has been reported in Hong Kong. The most common AIDS-defining illness was Pneumocystis pneumonia.
"The prevalence of HIV infection among the general public in Hong Kong remained at 0.1 per cent, well below the global average, and the number of new HIV cases recorded also continues to decline, demonstrating the effectiveness of AIDS control and prevention in Hong Kong," said the Consultant (Special Preventive Programme) of the Public Health Services Branch of the CHP of the DH, Dr Bonnie Wong.
"However, the proportion of late presenters rose from 48 per cent from the same period last year to 58 per cent, which warrants attention. In recent years, the proportion of late presenters has been as high as 40 to 60 per cent. The CHP has conducted in-depth analyses and found that the proportion of late presenters among high-risk populations (such as men who have sex with men and sex workers) was around 40 to 50 per cent, while there was an even higher proportion of late presenters up to 60 to 70 per cent among those who do not belong to high-risk populations. The CHP believed that those who do not belong to high-risk populations may have overlooked they still have the risk of HIV infection even though they do not have frequent high-risk sexual practices, leading to delayed testing and treatment," said Dr Wong.
Late presenters refer to individuals with a very low CD4 cells (one kind of immune cell) count (less than 200 cells/mm3) or those who have already progressed to AIDS at the time of HIV diagnosis. Late presentation indicates that these individuals were not diagnosed and put on treatment in a timely manner at an earlier stage of infection.
Late presentation can lead to an increased risk of opportunistic infections and malignancies, leading to a tenfold increase in mortality rate when compared with other people infected with HIV. In addition, as a result of an unsuppressed viral load, late presenters contribute to an increased risk of HIV transmission in the community.
"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. Moreover, undergoing HIV antibody testing is also essential in AIDS control and prevention. For early detection of infection, people who have had sex should get HIV testing at least once to keep track of their health status, and that people with higher risk of infection (such as those who do not use condoms properly and injecting drug users) should undergo regular screening," said Dr Wong.
Members of the public can undergo HIV antibody testing through the following:
- reserve a free, anonymous and confidential HIV antibody test by visiting the HIV Testing Service website (www.hivtest.gov.hk) or calling the AIDS Hotline (2780 2211); or
- order HIV self-test kits (oral fluid-based or blood-based (finger prick) testing kits) on the HIV Testing Service website, and collect the self-test kits at the pick-up location chosen. There are various pick-up locations in Hong Kong.
Dr Wong stressed that HIV infection is a manageable chronic disease. People with HIV should seek specialist care and receive HIV treatment as soon as possible to achieve viral suppression and health restoration. Early HIV treatment with antiretroviral drugs can effectively prevent the progression to AIDS and other complications, increasing the chance of survival significantly. Moreover, those who achieve an undetectable level of virus in blood while on treatment will not transmit the virus through sex, i.e. Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U).
The public may visit the following pages for more information on prevention and control of HIV/AIDS: the Virtual AIDS Office, the Red Ribbon Centre, the HIV Testing Service website and the Gay Men HIV Information website.
Ends/Tuesday, August 26, 2025
Issued at HKT 14:30
Issued at HKT 14:30
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