Rise in HIV cases led by gay men

HIV infections (note 1) this year will surpass (超越) those of 2010, with infections among men having sex with men (MSM) a leading factor (note 2) despite focused prevention strategies.

 

On the eve of World Aids Day tomorrow, the Department of Health said the number of new infections reached a two-year quarterly high of 113 in July to September this year compare to 81 in the same quarter last year.

 

This also takes to 317 the number of newly diagnosed HIV cases in the first nine months of the year.

 

Of the new infections, about 38 percent-or 43-were MSM, compared to 35 in the same quarter last year.

 

Total HIV infections for this year are likely to surpass the 389 for 2010, said Wong Ka-hing, consultant (special preventive programme) of the Centre of Health Protection.

 

An Advisory Council on AIDS strategy document (政策文件) released earlier this month warned that the number of MSN HIV reported cases will continue to increase and contribute more to the local epidemic (傳染) in the years to come.

 

“MSM in Asia are 19 times more likely to be infected with HIV than the general population,” the document stated.

 

But concern groups (note 3) said awareness of HIV prevention may decline at the same time.

 

Elijah Fung, manager of St John’s Cathedral HIV Education Centre, said: “There are very limited resources (note 4) targeting the general public-youth, women-and the migrant [foreign domestic workers] population.” AIDS Concern chief executive Loretta Wong Wai-kwan said there may be “message fatigue (note 5)” in which members of the MSM community believe they are no longer at risk (note 6) with the focus of the first wave (第一波) of the AIDS epidemic being on the general population.

 

(note 1) HIV infections=愛滋病病毒

HIV=human immunodeficiency virus=人體免疫功能不全病毒; 愛滋病病毒

 

(note 2) a leading factor=主要原因

Direct election is the leading topic of the hour=當前最主要的話題是直選

Victor plays a leading part in the revolt=Victor 在起義中擔任主角

 

(note 3) concern groups=關注團體

It is no concern of mine=與我無關

A going concern=開著的商店

A petty concern=細事

I can manage my own concerns=自己的事總可以解決

Feel concern about=擔心, 掛念

Have no concern for=毫不關心, 完全不怕

Matter of the utmost concern=(關係) 重大的事件

Without concern=不關心, 不怕

 

(note 4) very limited resources=有限資源

A limited war=有限戰爭

Limited number=少數

They possess a rather limited intelligence=他們的知識面相當狹窄

 

(note 5) message fatigue=對傳播的信息感到麻木

Fatigue=疲乏, 勞累, 勞苦

Feel fatigued=感覺疲勞

 

(note 6) no longer at risk=不再有風險