The number of Europeans diagnosed with HIV will increase in 2023, with new cases appearing in most countries
The increase in diagnoses in 2023 is likely due in part to increased testing, but health authorities have said more efforts are needed to contain HIV.
ADVERTISINGThe number of new HIV diagnoses in Europe increased in 2023, and almost all countries have reported casesaccording to European health authorities. Since the HIV/AIDS epidemic began in the early 1980s, more than 2.6 million people have been diagnosed with HIV. It is transmitted through unprotected sex, blood transfusion, sharing needles, or from mother to child.– in the 53 countries that make up the European region of the World Health Organization (WHO).
AIDS deaths rise in Central and Eastern Europe
Despite this, there were 113,000 new HIV diagnoses in 47 European countries in 2023, an increase of 2.4% compared to 2022. in accordance withHereport from the WHO European Office and the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).
The results came days after researchers reported magazine ‘Lancet“that globally, the number of new HIV infections fell by 21.9% between 2010 and 2021, from 2.11 million to 1.65 million. However, they noted that in Central and Eastern Europe there is increase in morbidity HIV and mortality from this disease.
The need for ongoing prevention
According to a new report, More diagnoses recorded in 21 European countries last year more than in 2022, and eight were registered – Azerbaijan, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Malta and Montenegro. highest number of new cases in one year in the last decade.
The study authors said the increase is likely due to countries doing more testing, reflecting an “increase” in HIV detections after a decline during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Europe also faces prevention challenges.About 30% of HIV-positive people do not know their HIV statusaccording to the report.
630,000 AIDS deaths in 2023
While most HIV-positive patients know their HIV status in the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, only 60% of patients in Eastern Europe and Central Asia know they have HIV. According to the report, in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein And NorwayIn 2023, immigrants and late-diagnosis patients will account for 48% of all HIV diagnoses.
Although HIV infection cannot be cured, can be controlled as a chronic disease with antiretroviral drugs that keep the virus at sufficiently low levels. so that the patient’s immune system can function normally.
More access to tests means fewer infections
But The later the diagnosis is made, the greater the likelihood that HIV will develop into AIDS. According to UNAIDS, approximately 630,000 people will die worldwide in 2023.
Europe “has made great progress in improving access to testing and reducing the number of people living with HIV without even knowing it, but we still have work to do,” the ECDC director explained in a statement. Pamela Rendi-Wagner. He called for more targeted efforts to ensure vulnerable groups have access to prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
WHO Regional Director for Europe Hans Henri Klugestated that it is necessary to continue work on fight stigma and discriminationand that more funding is needed to strengthen proof And prevention and stop the spread of HIV.