Sixty-seven people tested positive for the HIV antibody in the first quarter of this year, bringing the cumulative total of reported HIV infections to 2,311, the Department of Health says.

Seven new AIDS cases were reported in the same quarter. This brings to 676 the total number of confirmed AIDS cases reported since 1985.

The department's Senior Medical Officer Dr Chan Kam-tim said HIV is spread through sexual contact, needle-sharing among drug users and from infected mothers to their babies.

The 67 new HIV cases comprised 55 men and 12 women. Among the cases, 25 acquired the infection via heterosexual contact, 20 via homosexual or bisexual contact and four through intravenous drug use. The routes of transmission of the remaining 18 cases were undetermined due to inadequate data.

Infections among homosexuals increase

"The proportion of reported HIV infection in men having sex with men has increased. There was a parallel increase in the utilisation of social hygiene service by these people for sexually transmitted infection screening and HIV antibody testing," Dr Chan said.

To prevent contracting the disease, the practice of safer sex is the most important message, he continued. The department urges people to wear condoms during sex and to reduce the number of partners with whom they have sex.

"Those with high-risk behavior should attend the government AIDS unit, social hygiene service and private clinics for HIV testing and counseling," he added.

Most infections acquired through sexual contact

Of the 2,311 cumulative total of HIV infections since 1984, about 79% have acquired the infection through sexual contact. Of those, 70% resulted from heterosexual transmission. Sixty-nine infections have occurred among injection drug users.

The newly diagnosed cases were reported by public hospitals and clinics (32 cases), private hospitals and clinics (11), social hygiene clinics (13) and the department's AIDS counselling service (6). Cumulatively, the four sources have accounted for 43.4%, 22.7%, 15.6% and 13.2% of all reported infections.

The public can request free, anonymous and confidential HIV counseling by calling the department's hotline, 2780 2211. HIV antibody testing may also be arranged as appropriate through this hotline.  For more details on AIDS, visit www.aids.gov.hk.