Forty-nine people contracted HIV in the second quarter of 2003, bringing the cumulative total number of reported infections here to 2,116.

The Department of Health said of the 40 men and nine women, 20 acquired the infection through heterosexual contact, 14 homosexually or bisexually and two through injection drug use.

Transmission routes for the remaining 13 cases were undetermined due to inadequate data.

Meanwhile, 14 new AIDS cases were reported in the same quarter, bringing the total confirmed cases to 641 since 1985.

Department Senior Medical Officer Dr Chan Kam-tim said HIV is spread through unprotected sex (homosexual or heterosexual), needle-sharing and from infected mothers to their babies.

He said about 80% of the 2,116 HIV infections have been acquired through sex - 70% from heterosexual transmission - and 56 infections have occurred among injection drug users.

Dr Chan said people can request free, anonymous and confidential HIV counselling by calling the department's hotline, 2780 2211. HIV antibody testing can also be arranged.

Data on HIV and AIDS is released quarterly and can be viewed on the department's AIDS homepage.