The number of new cases of HIV infection reported in the State continues to rise with new figures to be released today showing a 10 per cent increase in new cases in 2003.
The figures, being published to mark Irish AIDS Day, show 399 new HIV cases were diagnosed in the Republic in 2003, a 10 per cent increase on the 2002 figure when 364 new cases were reported.
This brings the total number of HIV infections reported in the State to date to 3,408.
Many of the infections were acquired heterosexually and the Dublin AIDS Alliance has said the figures serve as a wake-up call to people to practise safe sex.
Its executive director, Ann Nolan, attributes the increase in HIV infections to several factors including a high level of complacency among young people around HIV/AIDS; a decreased focus on prevention efforts due to the successful introduction of treatment; and the fact that over half of all new cases are among non-nationals travelling to the Republic from areas where HIV/AIDS is endemic.
"Young people perceive it as something that happens to injecting drug users, gay men and foreigners. But this is not the case and on Irish AIDS Day we want to raise awareness around HIV/AIDS and the fact that it is an issue that can affect everybody. We need to break the silence around the issue," Nolan said. "We need to ensure young people have access to the information they require to make safe sex choices."
The message for all is that it is important for anyone engaging in sexual activity, particularly with a new or casual partner, to use a condom correctly to protect themselves.