HIV cases in region leap by 7%
Last updated: 11/27/2009 11:04:00 AM
A NATIONAL charity has called for a targeted HIV screening programme after revealing a seven per cent increase in diagnoses in the East of England.
Statistics revealed today show that in 2008, there were 2,949 people with diagnosed HIV in the region - a seven per cent increase from 2007.
In addition, 27 per cent of people with HIV in the area remain undiagnosed and are unaware that they HIV.
Victoria Gamble, regional manager from the Terrence Higgins Trust in the East of England, said: “The level of undiagnosed HIV in the county is completely unacceptable.
“With early diagnosis and effective treatment, most people with HIV can live to old age. If left undiagnosed, they will die earlier, be significantly more ill and more likely to infect others.
“HIV testing is easy, quick and saves lives.
“There should be more testing in more settings, and we need the political will to make this happen.”
The Terrence Higgins Trust is calling on the Government to introduce a national targeted screening programme to halve undiagnosed HIV in the UK by 2014.