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In 2017, 890 people were diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), an average of 2.4 new diagnoses per day, according to Sciensano in his annual report. The number of infections diagnosed decreased by 2% compared to 2016 and by 27.5% compared to 2012.
Men who have bad with men (MSM) and people from sub-Saharan Africa, two so-called "at risk" populations, accounted for most of the new infections in 2017. A decrease in the number of new cases is seen in both cases. categories.
The likely mode of infection is known for 71% of new diagnoses in 2017. MSM accounted for 49% of new infections and heterobadual contact transmission for 48%. In the latter case, people came mainly from sub-Saharan Africa (49%). The decrease in infections in a heterobadual relationship is mainly due to a smaller number of diagnoses among people from sub-Saharan Africa (-44% for women, -61% for men between 2012 and 2017). Only 1% of diagnoses in 2017 involved intravenous drug use.
Men accounted for 67.2% of new diagnoses and those aged 25-49 accounted for 69%. The carriers of the virus are aging: the average adult age, which reaches 38.5 years for women and 39.6 for men, has increased by 1.5 years in 10 years.
According to the Sciensano report: 27% of people diagnosed in 2017 live in Brussels. Between 2012 and 2017, the number of HIV infections diagnosed in Brussels decreased by less than 5%.
Fewer screening tests in 2017
In addition, fewer screening tests were conducted in 2017 (-2%). The proportion of confirmed new diagnoses was 1.25 per 1,000 tests performed. In addition, 36% of infections were diagnosed late. "More than a quarter of the patients and almost half of the Belgian MSM were diagnosed during the recent phase of HIV infection. This shows the effectiveness of screening efforts, but it also highlights the fact that the epidemic continues to spread rapidly. ", says Sciensano.
The number of people being medically followed for HIV infection is steadily increasing, with an average of 687 more patients each year. In 2017, this follow-up involved 16,070 people. Of those treated in AIDS referral centers, 99% received antiretroviral therapy with a high virologic success rate, Sciensano. Thus, 97% of these patients had a viral load (amount of virus in the blood) controlled. An undetectable virus is also untransferable, says the AIDS Prevention Platform in a statement. "A person who knows his HIV status and is cared for can no longer transmit HIV."
More than 30,000 HIV-positive people since the beginning of the epidemic
In 2017, 18,908 people were living with the virus, or 1.7 people infected per 1,000 inhabitants. Of these, 2,059 have not yet been diagnosed, says Sciensano. These are the latter who, mostly, infect other people without knowing it, says the Platform.
The latter therefore considers that it is "Priority to focus prevention efforts on those HIV-positive people who are unaware by increasing access to screening". In particular, she wants to promote anonymous and free screening. It also welcomes the fact that demedicalized and decentralized screening has been authorized since last September: "Close to target audiences" can therefore perform it.
HIV is a badually transmitted infection that causes AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). At this stage, the virus weakens the immune system and makes it vulnerable to multiple opportunistic infections.
In 2017, 56 AIDS diagnoses were reported, bringing the total between 1981 and 2017 to 5,084. From the beginning of the epidemic to 31 December 2017, 30,778 people have been diagnosed with HIV. Between 1978 and 2017, 2,740 deaths were reported, including 78 last year.
With Belga – Photo: Belga / Thierry Roge
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