On April 3, the Department of Health (DH) announced the latest statistics on Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infections in Hong Kong, highlighting a continued decline in new cases for the ninth consecutive year.
The DH received 365 new HIV cases in 2024, including 297 males and 68 females aged 14 to 89. The majority of infections (99%) were acquired through sexual contact. The overall prevalence of HIV in the general public remains at 0.1%, significantly below the global average, underscoring the effectiveness of Hong Kong's prevention efforts.
Dr. Bonnie Wong, Consultant (Special Preventive Programme) at the DH, noted that while the number of new infections has decreased, the proportion of late presenters-those diagnosed with low CD4 cell counts or who have progressed to AIDS-remains high, ranging from 40% to 50%. Late presentation increases the risk of opportunistic infections and contributes to higher community transmission rates.
In addition to the infection statistics, the DH completed a survey titled "HIV/AIDS Response Indicator Survey 2024 for Female Sex Workers" (HARiS 2024 for FSWs). The survey found that the percentage of female sex workers who had tested for HIV in the past year increased from 37% in 2022 to 55%. While condom use with non-regular clients was nearly universal (99%), consistency with regular clients was less reliable, indicating a need for enhanced condom promotion efforts.
Dr. Wong urged the public to use condoms consistently and to get tested regularly, especially for vulnerable populations at higher risk of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The DH will continue collaborating with NGOs to raise awareness and provide resources for HIV testing, including free and confidential testing services.
For more information on HIV/AIDS, the public can visit the Virtual AIDS Office, the Red Ribbon Centre, and the HIV Testing Service website.
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