Number of new H.I.V. infections at record high

The city saw a record number of new HIV infections last year since the first patient was diagnosed in 1984, with male homosexual activity the source of infection in 43 per cent of the cases, the Department of Health said yesterday.

The 438 new cases last year marked an increase of 12.6 per cent from 389 in 2010.

Overall, HIV prevalence in the city is estimated at under 0.1 per cent - low by international standards, which define infections to be widespread if more than 1 per cent of the general population is affected.

Infections through male homosexual contact was a prevailing trend, said Dr Wong Ka-hing, a consultant with the department's Centre for Health Protection.

'The rise in infections in men having sex with men has been obvious since 2005, being the highest among all high-risk groups,' Wong said. 'The trend is also seen in other parts of Asia.'

There were 188 such cases last year, a 12.6 per cent rise from 2010. This mode of transmission made up 43 per cent of the 5,270 cumulative HIV infections last year. HIV prevalence in the group is about 4 per cent.

HIV, or human immunodeficiency virus, is the cause of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (Aids), which is characterised by clinical complications such as infections and cancers due to a suppressed immune system. The most common Aidsrelated illnesses in Hong Kong are pneumonia and tuberculosis.