HIV infection cases reached 153 in 3Q13

There were 23 new AIDS cases.

A total of 153 cases of HIV infection were reported in the third quarter of 2013, the Centre for Health Protection announced.

Of these cases, 78 involved infection through homosexual or bisexual contact, 34 through heterosexual contact and two through drug injection.

The routes of transmission for the remaining 39 cases were undetermined due to inadequate information.

The newly diagnosed cases, involving 125 males and 28 females, bring the cumulative total of reported HIV infections to 6,198 since 1984.

Twenty-three new cases of AIDS were reported in this quarter, bringing to 1,410 the total number of confirmed AIDS cases reported since 1985.

The centre’s Consultant (Special Preventive Programme) Dr Wong Ka-hing said sexual transmission remained the major mode of HIV transmission in Hong Kong. He stressed the importance of proper condom use in reducing the risk of contracting HIV.

He also urged people with a history of unsafe sex to call 2780 2211 for a free, anonymous and confidential HIV test.