The number of new cases of the HIV virus in Ireland rose by 22 per cent last year.
The figures released by the National Disease Surveillance Centre (NDSC) today reveal most HIV cases - some 63.5 per cent - were among heterosexuals, a rise of 34 per cent over 2001.
A total of 198 (54.4 per cent) of those diagnosed with the virus here last year were female and 165 (45.3 per cent) were male. More than 80 per cent of the new cases were in the 20-to-40-year-old category.
According to the NDSC, 186 of the newly diagnosed cases (51.1 per cent) in 2002 were among people born in sub-Saharan Africa.
"The number of diagnoses mirrors the epidemiology of HIV in other Western European countries and is not unexpected, given that 70 per cent of the world's HIV cases are found in sub-Saharan Africa," the NDSC said.
The number of diagnoses among men who have sex with men dropped last year. There were 46 new cases in this category, compared to 73 the previous year - a decrease of 37 per cent.
NDSC public health specialist Dr Mary Cronin said the number of infections among intravenous drug users and men who have sex with men tends to fluctuate from year to year.
"The figures should be interpreted with caution, as it remains to be seen whether the trends will be sustained," she said.
The NDSC said it was important to note that the figures do not represent the number of people infected with the HIV virus in Ireland, but provide information on the number of new diagnoses in 2002. It said the number of new diagnoses reported is dependent on patterns of HIV testing and reporting.
There were 12 cases of AIDS reported to the NDSC in 2002, bringing the total number of cases in Ireland to date to 731.
However, the NDSC says this figure is likely to be an "underestimation" as there is a delay in reporting AIDS cases in Ireland. Seven of the 12 cases (58 per cent) reported last year were amongst heterosexuals. There were four AIDS-related deaths reported in 2002, bringing the total number of AIDS-related deaths in Ireland to date to 369.
Dr Cronin said the figures highlight the continuing need for appropriate prevention and treatment services for all risk groups in Ireland, including migrants and ethnic communities.
"Anyone engaging in sexual activity should practice safe sex. A properly used condom provides effective protection from HIV and AIDS," she said.
