Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2007. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
BBC News - November 23, 2007
There were 8,925 newly diagnosed cases last year, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control said.
At almost 149 cases per million inhabitants, the UK has the third highest rate of new infections behind Estonia and Portugal.
The figures come as the Health Protection Agency estimated 73,000 adults in the UK now have HIV.
The EU average is of new HIV infections is 67 cases per million.
A recent report from UNAids revealed much lower estimates of HIV infection worldwide than had been previously believed - from nearly 40 million to 33 million.
But the number of cases of HIV in people living in Europe and parts of Asia have almost doubled in the past six years.
Under-estimate
ECDC director Zsuzsanna Jakab said the true European figures are likely to be much higher it is estimated almost one third of people living with HIV in Europe are unaware they are infected.
"These people are less likely to take precautions against transmitting the virus, and are also unable to access treatment, and addressing this hidden epidemic is a priority for the ECDC," she said.
**Highest EU rates of newly diagnosed HIV infections:
*Estonia - 504.2 per million
*Portugal - 205 per million
*UK - 148.8 per million
*Latvia - 130.3 per million
*Luxembourg - 118.9 per million
In raw figures the number of newly diagnosed cases reported in the UK last year is by far the highest at 8,925 followed by 5,750 in France and 2,718 in Germany.
But as a proportion of population, Estonia comes out top.
The lowest rate in the latest survey is in Slovakia, where 27 new HIV/AIDs cases were reported last year.
ECDC spokesperson, Ben Duncan, said in Western European countries like the UK and France one of the main drivers of new cases was people migrating from areas of the world with HIV epidemics.
"Another big driver has been the increase in cases among men who have sex with men.
**Lowest EU rates of newly diagnosed HIV infections:
*Bulgaria - 11.9 per million
*Czech Republic - 9.1 per million
*Romania - 8.3 per million
*Hungary - 8 per million
*Slovakia - 5 per million
"Clearly, our prevention efforts are not having the desired effect - the safe sex message doesn't seem to be having the impact we would hope," he said.
Deborah Jack, chief executive of the National Aids Trust, said: "The UK rate of new diagnoses is one of the highest in Europe.
"We need to understand that this is in part due to improved HIV testing, but it remains the fact that there has been no reduction in the significant rate of HIV transmission amongst gay men and the rates of heterosexual infection continue to rise.
"The government has disregarded HIV in the UK for far too long - HIV must become a policy priority with significantly increased sums invested at the local level in HIV prevention amongst communities most affected."
071123
BB071111
Copyright © 2007 - BBC. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the BBC.
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Elton John AIDS Foundation UK, the National Library of Medicine, AIDS Walk of Orange County, and donations from users like you.
Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2007. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 2007. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content.
.