Ministry of Health: In more than 90% of newly registered HIV cases in Bulgaria, the virus was transmitted sexually

In 90.8% of the newly registered HIV cases in Bulgaria, the virus was transmitted sexually, Ministry of Health reported on its website on World AIDS Day, December 1. Since the beginning of this year, 228 new HIV-seropositive persons have been detected in the country, and between 1986 and 24 November 2023, total of 4,276 persons with HIV infection were registered in Bulgaria.

Of those newly registered this year, 42.5% were men who reported homosexual contact, while 39.6% were men and 17.9% were women who reported heterosexual contact. The proportion of those infected through injecting drugs was 9.2%, the report added as quoted by BTA.

The incidence of newly reported HIV infections per 100,000 population in EU countries in 2021 is 3.7, and for Bulgaria the indicator is 3.4, the Health Ministry said. The geographical distribution shows that the majority of newly infected people with HIV are mainly in big cities, with the highest number in Sofia - 64 people, and the lowest in the districts of Gabrovo, Smolyan and Shumen, where two people were registered.

The Ministry of Health provides free modern testing and treatment with antiretroviral drugs to all people with HIV/AIDS in need, regardless of their health insurance status.

This year, as part of the National Anti-AIDS Campaign, the day will go under the slogan "You are asked to avoid the risk!”. The aim of the campaign is to inform the public about the possibilities to control HIV infection and to motivate more and more people to track their HIV status.

There are 12 free-of-charge and anonymous HIV counselling and testing offices in the country, which are attached to regional health inspectorates. Pre-test and post-test counselling and testing are carried out in these clinics. A list of offices or anonymous and free-of-charge counselling and testing is published on the Health Ministry’s website.