HIV campaign launched as 152 new cases diagnosed

SENIOR health officials have launched a major HIV public awareness campaign focused on the gay and bisexual community after a surge in new cases among young men.

New figures detailed by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre show that between January and the end of June, 152 new cases of the life-threatening illness were confirmed.

Of this number — the equivalent of almost one diagnosis a day — 56 cases related to men aged between 15 and 29.