New cases of HIV are up by 20% in the UK

New cases of HIV have surged by 20% in the UK over a one-year period, according to the latest figures from the Health Protection Agency. Medics believe the number of newly diagnosed cases will increase further before the rate of infection is curbed. The rise in new cases was recorded between 2001 and 2002. However, figures for 2003 are even higher than at the same time the previous year, with 5,047 cases recorded, compared to 4,204 in 2002.

"HIV is an infection that is here to stay," said Dr Barry Evans, HIV expert at the Health Protection Agency. "With almost a third of the 49,500 people currently living with HIV in the UK still unaware they are infected, the rising trend in new diagnoses is liable to only get worse before it gets better. The increase over the last year has been seen amongst both gay men and heterosexual men and women, and transmission of HIV within the UK is also continuing to increase"

The new figures coincide with the Association of British Insurer's decision to consult on its current Statement of Best Practice for HIV and Insurance. The aim of the consultation is to develop a Statement that better reflects the way the disease is developing in the UK, including recognition of high infection rates in the heterosexual community.

According to the Health Protection Agency, there has been a 27% increase in heterosexual diagnoses over the last year. Around 80% of infections are believed to have been contracted in countries with high HIV prevalence, but infections contracted within the UK have also risen.

However, new diagnoses among gay men are also expected to rise to over 2,000 - the highest in any one year since HIV testing became widely available in the late 1980s. The report highlights that transmission of HIV is still occurring among gay men and at least 10% of these new diagnoses are known to have been recently acquired.

Dr Evans said: "Increases in unsafe sex are undoubtedly the main driving force behind this epidemic. Changing people's sexual behaviour so they use a condom with all new and casual partners is one of the most effective ways of reversing the trend. People must be encouraged to take responsibility for their own sexual health."