The number of new HIV cases diagnosed in Northern Ireland has increased substantially, a leading Aids charity said today.
The HIV clinic at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast had 100 new cases for the first half of this year, more than for the full 12 months last year, the Aids 2000 charity warned.
There was also a worrying increase among young men with mental health issues while women are being detected at pre-birth screening, the group claimed.
Aids 2000 spokesman Colin Angus said: "There are more issues around mental health of people living with the virus and with the stigma and discrimination which is always surrounding the virus. "
There are now over 700 patients who regularly attend the clinic and two new cases diagnosed a week, he said.