HIV warning to gay men

GAY rights’ campaigners have called for increased vigilance after 75 gay men were diagnosed with HIV last year.

The Gay and Lesbian Equality Network said there was a false impression HIV was no longer prevalent.

Its Director of Gay HIV strategies, Ciarán McKinney, said the figures showed gay men were still at a disproportionate risk-category in the spread of HIV.

“The report makes it clear that men who have sex with men are at continued high risk for HIV. While we have lower prevalence rates than other countries, we need to remain vigilant and continue promoting HIV prevention messages to gay and bisexual men,” he said.

GLEN was reacting to figures in the Health Protection Surveillance Centre annual report.

In 2006, gay men made up one quarter of all people diagnosed with HIV.

Mr McKinney said it was important to refocus efforts on getting people to undergo regular testing.

The full HPSC report will be published this morning.