Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2004. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
BBC News - Thursday, 25 November, 2004
In 2003, 2,973 people from London were diagnosed out of 6,606 across the UK, bringing the total number of infected Londoners to 19,000.
The figures are published by the Health Protection Agency on Thursday.
Dr Helen Maguire, from the agency, said sexual health education, regular screening and early diagnosis and treatment could prevent infections.
Women and girls
The report has been released ahead of World Aids Day on 1 December which will focus on women and girls.
In London, 5,972 women with the HIV infection received care in 2003. Of those, one in 10 were under 25 years old.
Dr Maguire said: "HIV/Aids is an increasing problem in the UK, and especially in the capital.
"It is vital that such prevention measures are targeted at those groups most at risk from HIV and sexually transmitted infections, including gay men, black and ethnic minorities, and young people."
She said people should practise safe sex with all new and casual partners.
Migration
Co-author of the report Dr Kevin Fenton said the high number of cases was a result of migration of people from parts of the world where there is high incidence of Aids, for example sub-Saharan Africa.
He said the infection rate among gay and bisexual men was expected to be the highest for more than 10 years, with 1,735 diagnoses reported in 2003.
Meanwhile diagnoses among heterosexuals rose from 139 in 1998 to 341 in 2003, he added.
Further figures showed that of the 53,000 living with HIV/Aids in the UK, a quarter remain unaware of their infection.
A survey found fewer than a third of patients were seen within 48 hours of seeking an appointment at a sexual health clinic, said agency chief executive Professor Pat Troop.
"If people are to receive early diagnosis and treatment these waiting times need to be reduced.
"The agency welcomes the government's pledge in its white paper to ensure that by 2008 everyone referred to a clinic will be seen within two days," she said.
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