The number of HIV cases shows no signs of a decline in the EU region and continues to rise in eastern Europe and central Asia, a report out today says.
More than 121,000 new HIV cases were reported in the WHO European Region, including more than 28,000 in the European Union and the European Economic Area – a rise from 2010.
The report by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the WHO Regional Office for Europe, published to mark World Aids Day on December 1, shows that more than 75 per cent of new HIV infections were reported in the eastern part of the European Region.
Half the cases were diagnosed late, which means that the benefits of treatment are reduced.
It also warns that continuing HIV outbreaks in some EU countries among drug users highlight that previously low numbers can rapidly rise in an outbreak when interventions are not sufficiently in place.
While HIV is still concentrated in key populations – men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs or come from countries with HIV epidemics – the new data shows an increase in heterosexual transmission, which now accounts for half the cases in the Region.
Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHO regional director for Europe, said: “The global financial crisis is challenging governments to invest in improved access to effective health interventions to prevent, test for and treat HIV/Aids.
“Only one patient in four receives the needed antiretroviral treatment in the eastern part of the region, one of the lowest rates in the world.
“We urgently need to scale up resources, especially in eastern Europe and central Asia. Every euro spent now on HIV response will largely be paid back with savings on future treatment costs, not to mention the societal gains from keeping people healthy and productive.”
Meanwhile, a world-renowned photographic exhibition that features people with HIV from around the world is being launched in Sydney, Australia, in time for World Aids Day.
The Access to Life exhibition by Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria, in partnership with Magnum Photos, exhibition features images of more than 40 people in ten countries around the world, who are accessing antiretroviral treatment for Aids, can be seen at the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney until June 9, 2013.
Leave a Reply