HIV infection rates rise by 10 per cent in South West
THE Terrence Higgins Trust is calling for a national screening programme for HIV – as infection rates in the South West hit record numbers. At the end of 2008, there were 2,580 people with diagnosed HIV in the South West.
THE Terrence Higgins Trust is calling for a national screening programme for HIV - as infection rates in the South West hit record numbers.
At the end of 2008, there were 2,580 people with diagnosed HIV in the South West. This is a 10 per cent increase from 2007.
In addition, 27 per cent of people with HIV in the region remain undiagnosed so have HIV without knowing it.
In response to the data, Steve Jones, regional manager for the Terrence Higgins Trust in the South West, said: "The level of undiagnosed HIV in the country 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."
Most Read
- 1 Gittsham motorist 'so drunk he had to be carried out of car'
- 2 Towns join forces to promote green tourism
- 3 DVLA issues urgent warning to drivers in UK
- 4 By-election result proves East Devon is not as 'true blue' as people thought
- 5 Woman seriously injured after motorway bridge fall
- 6 Axminster vehicle extravaganza hailed 'great day out'
- 7 Simon Jupp calls for Prime Minister's resignation
- 8 Stark warning on spending from Devon finance chief
- 9 Serious accident closes A35 in both directions
- 10 Church recital at Broadhembury
Terrence Higgins Trust is calling on the Government to introduce a national targeted screening programme to halve undiagnosed HIV in the UK by 2014.
