The Centre for Health Protection has called for greater precautions against AIDS, as it recorded 651 new HIV infections last year, a 16.5% rise on the 2013 figure.
Briefing reporters on Hong Kong's HIV/AIDS situation today, Centre for Health Protection Consultant Dr Wong Ka-hing said there was a sharp increase in 20 to 29 year-old men being infected through homosexual contact.
He said the trend shows lax precautions against HIV infection, and urged people to ensure proper condom use as sexual transmission remains the major mode of HIV transmission.
Of the newly reported cases, 378 involved homosexual or bisexual contact, 124 heterosexual contact, five drug injection, one blood or blood-product transfusion outside Hong Kong, while the remaining 143 cases cannot be determined.
There were 152 new HIV cases in the fourth quarter of 2014, bringing the cumulative total to 6,993 cases since 1984.
Twenty-one new AIDS cases were reported in the same quarter, bringing the total confirmed cases to 1,545 since 1985.
Dr Wong urged people with a history of unsafe sex to call 2780 2211 for a free, anonymous and confidential HIV test. Click here for more information.
