Index – Abroad – The number of people living with HIV is growing steadily, especially in Eastern Europe



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The number of people diagnosed with HIV in Europe is steadily increasing, and in many cases the infection is diagnosed too late, two European health organizations said in a statement on Thursday, highlighting the need to increase the number of tests.

Last year more than 136,000 new cases of HIV were registered, according to the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the European Office of the World Health Organization (WHO).

In recent years, MTI writes, most new patients

It appeared in the eastern regions of Europe. According to the WHO, the infection affects more than 2 million people in the 53 countries classified as Europe. Half of the diseases have been identified “at a late stage,” according to a report released ahead of World AIDS Day on December 1.

This shows that testing strategies in the region do not work well enough for early detection of HIV infection.

The organizations said. Early detection also means early treatment, which can help slow the spread of the infection.

Although we are currently focusing on a new type of coronavirus epidemic, we must not forget about other public health problems, including HIV infection.

Said Andrea Ammon, director of ECDC. The Stockholm-based organization covers the 27 member states of the European Union, as well as Great Britain, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.

Although it is not known how the coronavirus pandemic has affected HIV testing, the results of the past ten years need to be safeguarded and HIV testing and treatment should be prioritized for those in need.

Said Hans Kluge, European director of the WHO based in Copenhagen.



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