New HIV cases up by 10%

The number of HIV cases diagnosed in Ireland rose by more than 10% last year, according to figures published today by the National Disease Surveillance Centre (NDSC).

In its annual report for 2003, the centre said 399 people were diagnosed with the virus during the year, bringing the total number of cases in Ireland to almost 3,500.

Two hundred and twenty-one of the cases were acquired through heterosexual contact, 75 were acquired by homosexual men and 47 by intravenous drug users.

Elsewhere, the NDSC said the number of sexually-transmitted infections increased by 8% in 2002 compared to 2001.

It said the most common STIs were ano-genital warts, non-specific urethritis and chlamydia trachomatis.

Launching the report today, the NDSC called for legislation to make HIV a mandatory notifiable disease in an effort to improve data on the virus.

Meanwhile, speaking at the launch, Health Minister Mary Harney ruled out the idea of mandatory HIV screening at Ireland's borders, but said she would like to make it easier for immigrants to be monitored for the disease.