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Youths urged to prevent AIDS spread

November 28, 2015

As the Human Immunodeficiency Virus epidemic affects more young people, Secretary for Food & Health Dr Ko Wing-man appealed to this group to raise their awareness about the disease and join in the efforts to prevent and control its spread.

 

Dr Ko made the appeal today at an awards presentation ceremony for the World AIDS Campaign 2015 Getting to Zero - Egg Design Competition.

 

The event aims to encourage younger people to actively participate in the prevention and control of the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome in support of World AIDS Day on December 1.

 

Speaking at the ceremony, he said despite city-wide efforts in AIDS prevention and control, there has been no decline in the HIV infection situation.

 

He says this is due to the public's inadequate knowledge and risk awareness of AIDS.

 

"A total of 541 new cases of HIV infections had been recorded in the first three quarters of 2015, with two cases per day on average. The majority, about 60%, are men who have sex with men while around 15% were aged below 25," he said.

 

“Many young people nowadays get infected via unsafe sex under the influence of drugs and upon the request of sex partners. In addition, among those infected, there are still some 30% who receive diagnosis and anti-viral treatment at a later stage."

 

Dr Ko noted that antiviral treatment can effectively control patients' illness and reduce further transmission.

 

People can take a free and anonymous HIV test from the Government or AIDS non-governmental organisations if needed, he added.



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