80 cases of HIV infection in 2nd quarter of 2024 were reported to CHP

A total of 80 cases of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection were reported to the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) in the second quarter of 2024, taking the cumulative total of HIV infections reported locally to 12,223 since 1984.

Of the 80 additional cases involving 60 males and 20 females, 42 (52.5 percent) acquired the infection via homosexual or bisexual contact and 26 (32.5 percent) via heterosexual contact. Due to incomplete information, the transmission routes of the remaining 12 cases have yet to be determined.

The new cases were mainly reported by three sources: public hospitals, clinics, and laboratories (34 cases), AIDS service organizations (13 cases), and private hospitals, clinics, and laboratories (12 cases). Also, 65 of the 80 newly reported cases have already received HIV specialist services at the DH or the Hospital Authority.

Regarding cases of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), 16 new cases were reported in this quarter, of which 12 cases (75.0 percent) were attributed to homosexual or bisexual contact, and four cases (25.0 percent) were related to heterosexual contact. Fifteen (93.8 percent) of these new AIDS cases were diagnosed with HIV infection at the time of progression to AIDS, and the most common AIDS-defining illness remained to be Pneumocystis pneumonia. Since 1985, a cumulative total of 2,523 confirmed AIDS cases have 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. The only way to know one's HIV status is to undergo HIV antibody testing. HIV is the cause of AIDS. In the past 10 years, over 80 percent of AIDS patients progressed to AIDS within three months of HIV diagnosis. This indicates that the majority of people with AIDS have not undergone HIV antibody testing early."

"People should use condoms consistently and properly to reduce the risk of acquiring HIV. Those 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. At the same time, people who had sex but do not belong to these key populations should consider getting tested at least once. People with HIV should seek specialist care and HIV treatment as soon as possible."

The spokesman added that there are available community resources that enable members of the public to undergo HIV antibody testing. People can reserve a free, anonymous, and confidential HIV antibody test via the DH's HIV Testing Service website (www.hivtest.gov.hk) or AIDS Hotline (2780 2211). They can also order HIV self-test kits (oral fluid-based and blood-based (fingerprick) testing kits) on the HIV Testing Service website and collect the self-test kits at various pick-up locations in Hong Kong.

In addition, the DH launched The Commons this year, a one-stop sexual health service for sexual minorities, which provides regular follow-up services to referred cases with a higher risk of acquiring sexually transmitted infections. Sexual minorities who had high-risk behaviors may seek an initial assessment from designated organizations. For services of The Commons and information on the designated organizations, please visit www.aids.gov.hk/english/itc/consultation.html.

The spokesman stressed that receiving early HIV treatment with antiretroviral drugs can effectively prevent the progression to AIDS and other complications in people with HIV. Lifelong antiretroviral treatment is indicated for all people with HIV, and the treatment remarkably improves their health and the possibility of survival. Moreover, with treatment, those who achieve sustained viral suppression to an undetectable level will not transmit the virus through sex, i.e., Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U).

The public may 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 HIV Testing Service website (www.hivtest.gov.hk) and the Gay Men HIV Information website (www.21171069.gov.hk).

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