SOME 168 PEOPLE have been newly diagnosed with HIV since the start of 2015, according to HSE figures.

The number of people newly diagnosed with HIV is just under half of the number (377) diagnosed in 2014.

The research, which was conducted by its Health Protection Surveillance Centre, also shows that 125 heterosexual people (33%) and 27 injecting drug users (7%) contracted the infection in 2014.

Men who have sex with men – 183 – account for 49% of cases last year.

Extra resources needed

• Last year’s figure represented an 11% increase on 2013, when 341 new cases were identified.
• A total of 7,521 people have been diagnosed with HIV since the early 1980s, according to the HSE.

In a statement, HIV Ireland, which works with people living with HIV and AIDS, called for additional resources to cope with the increasing number of HIV diagnoses.

Across Ireland, we need extra resources for testing services, for training and education work, for treatment and prevention work. As HIV figures increase, we cannot afford to stand still.

Once diagnosed, the organisation added, “people with HIV can live healthy and fulfilling lives”.

Read: ‘Once you say you’re HIV positive, you can’t take it back’ >

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