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Record number of Swedish HIV cases reported |
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08:16, July 06, 2007 |
The number of reported cases of HIV in Sweden is at a record high, local media reported on Thursday.
Compared to the same period last year, the number of new cases of HIV has increased by 40 percent. The majority of those infected are heterosexual, Swedish news agency TT reported.
In the first half of 2007, 252 new cases of HIV were reported to the Swedish Institute for Infectious Disease Control. That is the highest half-year figure since reporting began 20 years ago.
Anders Blaxhult, deputy state epidemiologist at the institute, told TT that it was notable that the number of cases in all categories -- that is to say heterosexual, homosexual and intravenous transmission -- have risen.
One of the main reasons for the increase is rising immigration. According to Blaxhult, just over half of the reported cases of HIV infection were "imported."
"But what's most remarkable is that there is an increase in the number of people who contracted HIV in Sweden," he said.
In total, 7,700 cases of HIV have been reported in Sweden. Of those, around 4,000 are still living with the disease.
The fastest-growing category, however, was those who became HIV positive through intravenous drug use. There were 29 reported cases in the first half of 2007, almost three times the number reported in the same period last year.
Source: Xinhua
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