ATHENS, Dec 13 (AFP) - Greece recorded 522 new cases of HIV in 2005, some 25 percent more than in 2004, Health Minister Nikitas Kaklamanis told a press conference Tuesday.
Expressing his concern at the upward trend, the minister said a "national plan of action" would be launched at the start of the new year, aiming to raise standards of prevention and treatment.
According to the Centre for Infectious Disease Control (KEEL), recorded HIV cases to December 8 were already 18 percent up on 2004 and are set to finish this year between 24 and 27 percent higher.
The number of infections via heterosexual intercourse rose 9.5 percent compared to 2004 figures, while a record 25 percent of new cases were among women.
Since 1984, a total of 7,643 people have been diagnosed with HIV in Greece, of whom 2,641 have developed full-blown AIDS.
The rise in the infection rate stems from a relaxation of preventative measures due to the efficacy of combination therapies, according to the minister.
But many experts complain of a lack of public information campaigning, particularly in schools.
Some experts, however, believe the rise in recorded cases shows that Greeks are finally becoming more willing to take HIV tests, after years of sweeping the issue under the carpet.
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