Sharp rise in HIV infection cases in Victoria

As a result, the state government is to spend $2.7 million on awareness programs on HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases and on improvement of treatments. Health education campaigns, especially for gays will receive the funding.

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Health Minister Bronwyn Pike said, "Increasing rates of HIV is a worldwide problem." She said, "It appears that some complacency is emerging about the dangers of HIV."

However, Victorian AIDS Council executive director Mike Kennedy said, "There was no evidence to suggest this. We think it's not about complacency, it's about complexity, and about the ways in which people are trying to live their sexual lives 20 years into the epidemic."

Mr Kennedy said, "There are now more people living with HIV, so the risk of transmission is greater."

Melbourne Sexual Health Centre director Christopher Fairley said, "There has been an increase in unprotected anal sex, but the new infections are linked to the bigger number of people living with HIV."

Source: Medindia
GYT