Hong Kong HIV cases reach second highest in decades

The city recorded 173 new HIV infections in the first quarter of this year - the second-highest total reported in a single quarter in more than three decades.

The top quarterly statistic, of 195 cases, was posted between July and September last year.

Over the past three years, new cases recorded from January to March increased steadily, from 139 in 2013, to 154 in 2014. This year's 173 total is 21 cases more than the fourth quarter of last year.

Dr Wong Ka-hing, consultant in the special preventive programme at the Centre for Health Protection, said the increasing numbers could be due to greater awareness among vulnerable groups.

About 60 per cent of gay men who responded to a survey last year had taken HIV tests in the previous year. Wong said: "One factor [of the higher statistics] could be an increase in HIV testing of the community [of men who have sex with men].

"There is increased coverage of testing. We also believe there is a genuine increase in the number of infections."

HIV is the virus that can eventually lead to Aids.