Number of new HIV cases in Hong Kong third highest since reports began in 1980s

Hong Kong recorded 188 new HIV cases in the second quarter of this year, the third highest count for three months since reporting began in 1984.

The Centre for Health Protection said while the 335 cases recorded in the first half of the year was down on the same period in 2015, reported cases might rise again in the coming six months with greater awareness of testing during festive periods.

“It is still hard to predict the number of cases for the entire year...but having 335 cases in the first six months is still considered a high figure,” said Dr Wong Ka-hing, consultant at the centre’s special prevention programme.

The 188 reported from April to June brought the city’s total number of cases to 8,053.

Sex was the main route of transmission, with 52 per cent of the new cases passed sexually from one man to another.

But for almost 30 per cent, the route was unknown. The usual rate for unknown sources is 17.2 per cent.