Eighty-nine Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infections were reported in the year's first quarter, bringing Hong Kong's total reported HIV cases to 3,701 since 1984. Seventeen new AIDS cases were reported, bringing the total to 951 since 1985.

Announcing the figures today the Centre for Health Protection said 70 men and 19 women tested positive for HIV.

The predominant route of transmission remained sexual contact, with 27 people acquiring the infection via heterosexual contact, 28 via homosexual or bisexual contact and 10 through drug injection. The routes of transmission of the remaining 24 cases were undetermined due to insufficient data.

Of the new cases, 66.3% received care via HIV specialist services of the Department of Health and the Hospital Authority. The most common AIDS illnesses were chest infections pneumonia and tuberculosis.

People can request free, anonymous and confidential HIV counselling by calling the AIDS hotline 2780 2211. More information on AIDS and HIV is available here.