Record Number Of HIV Cases This Year

A record number of newly-diagnosed HIV patients has been reported by St James's Hospital in Dublin this year.

The hospital said it has experienced a 20% rise in cases and a 100% increase in HIV diagnoses among homosexual and bisexual men.

It is believed the rise is due to unsafe sexual practices among young men and a lull in public awareness of the disease.

Some 244 new HIV cases were diagnosed this year, compared with 209 last year, and a total of 2,000 HIV positive patients now attend the hospital.

Meanwhile, it has been reported that the number of people with HIV in Northern Ireland is also increasing.

New figures released today, which is World Aids Day, by the North's Public Health Agency show 92 people were diagnosed in 2008 compared to 61 the previous year.

The report said 55% of the cases were acquired through sex between men and women.

World AIDS Day is an annual campaign, which aims to raise awareness of the disease, and will see a number of events scheduled around the world.

Fine Gael health spokesman Dr James Reilly claimed Government complacency had caused complacency among at-risk groups. He called for a national education campaign on HIV prevention.

"It is worrying from a public health perspective because this is costing the Government money," he said. "People at risk are not taking precautions. It requires education, not medication. People need to be reminded of the dangers of unprotected sex."

A spokesman for the HSE said: "Health education in the area of HIV/Aids is a strategic part of the HSE's overall health promotion operations. HSE funding is also made available for a variety of NGOs working in the area of HIV/Aids nationally."

According to the World Health Organisation, over 33m people are living with HIV/AIDS.

(DW/BMcc)