207 new HIV infections in first six months of 2003

More than 200 new cases of HIV were reported in Ireland in the first half of last year, according to figures published today by the National Disease Surveillance Centre.

The figure of 207 compares to a total of 364 new cases detected in 2002.

The cases reported between January and June last year bring the total number of HIV infections recorded in Ireland since the mid-1980s to 3,216.

Speaking at a HIV/AIDS conference in Dublin today, Health Minister Micheál Martin said the ongoing infections showed that HIV remains a serious problem.