29/11/2012

NI HIV Numbers Rise 10%

The number of people living with HIV in Northern Ireland has risen by 10%.

A report by the Public Health Agency (PHA) found 522 are living with the infection in Northern Ireland, an increase of 10% since 2010.

The number of newly-diagnosed people with HIV rose by 3%, from 80 in 2010 to 82 in 2011.

Of the 82 new HIV diagnoses, 48 of these occurred in men who have sex with men.

This group is still at the greatest risk of acquiring HIV within the UK.

The majority of heterosexual cases are acquired abroad.

Report was published by PHA to mark World Aids Day on the 1 December. It highlights an increasing trend in the number of annual new HIV diagnoses seen in recent years.

Dr Jillian Johnston, Specialist Registrar, Public Health Agency, said: "We want to take the opportunity presented by World AIDS Day to raise awareness about HIV. The safer sex message applies to everyone, regardless of whether you are straight or gay.

"We know people may be infected with HIV without knowing, so it is important to protect yourself and to stop the spread of infection to others. Use condoms, limit the number of your sexual partners, and get checked at your local Genito Urinary Medicine (GUM) clinic or your GP surgery, if you could be at risk."

HIV can be contracted via various ways including sexual contact, the sharing of HIV-contaminated needles and syringes and transmission from mother to child before, during or shortly after birth.

(IT/GK)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

01 December 2009
HIV Cases Rising Across Ireland
The often deadly Aids infection knowns no geographical and political boundaries as the number of new cases of HIV - which leads to Aids - in both Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic are rocketing.
12 December 2024
Man Jailed For Sexual Abuse Of Teenager
A 56-year-old man from Newtownabbey has been jailed for eight months for sexually abusing a 15-year-old girl in 2006. Gary Thompson was convicted of two counts of indecent assault. The victim, who is now 33, waived her right to anonymity to speak out about the abuse.
01 December 2015
10% Rise In Number Of NI People Living With HIV
The number of people living with HIV in Northern has increased by 10%, according to new figures. 809 people were diagnosed with HIV last year compared to 783 in 2013. The 'HIV surveillance in Northern Ireland 2015' report published by the Public Health Agency (PHA) also shows 94 new cases of HIV were diagnosed in Northern Ireland in 2014.
29 November 2019
84 New HIV Cases Diagnosed In 2018
More than 80 new cases of HIV were diagnosed in Northern Ireland last year, it's been revealed. The Public Health Agency is encouraging everyone to practise safer sex and get tested early if they have put themselves at risk. The warning comes ahead of World AIDS day, Sunday 01 December.
29 April 2022
fonaCAB Announces Partnership With Positive Life
fonaCAB has announced a partnership with Ireland's only dedicated HIV charity, Positive Life to help eradicate HIV related stigma in Northern Ireland. This comes at a time when Positive Life is launching a new £500k sustainability project called the 'Northern Ireland Buyers Club'.