Monica Barnes
Question:52 Mrs. Barnes asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will give an overall assessment of the AIDS problem here. [19362/01]
Written Answers. - AIDS Incidence.
The incidence of AIDS has been steadily decreasing in recent years. This is mainly due to the success rates which are being achieved through the use of the highly effective antiretroviral treatments or triple therapy, which prevents or delays the onset of AIDS in HIV positive patients. The most recent data published by the National Disease Surveillance Centre shows that the total number of AIDS cases declined to 21 cases in 2000 compared to 41 in 1999. This brings the total number of AIDS cases to 707. There were 13 AIDS related deaths reported in 2000 compared with 17 in 1999. This brings the total number of AIDS related deaths to 362. The NDSC which now reports statistics in relation to AIDS will publish a report in the coming weeks on AIDS in Ireland, covering the period 1983-1999.
The incidence of AIDS in Ireland is relatively low when compared with other countries throughout Europe. The incidence rate per million population in Ireland in 1999 was 6.8 while the incidence rate per million population in the same year in various countries in Europe was Britain, 11.9; Italy, 36.0, Spain, 77.1; and Portugal, 88.3.
The three major groups affected by transmission category are injecting drug users, IDUs, sex between men, SBM-bisexuals and heterosexuals. All other categories account for approximately 12% of the total number of AIDS cases. The number of AIDS cases in all transmission categories has declined since the mid 1990's and this can be primarily attributed to increased use of HAART, which has delayed disease progression. However, the decline in the number of cases among MSM and IDUs have been higher than among persons exposed through heterosexual contact.
HIV is now seen as a chronic rather than a fatal illness, however, there is no room for complacency given the recent increase in the reported number of HIV cases. These statistics show that 342 new HIV cases were reported during the year 2000, an increase of 64% over the previous year. Increases were recorded in all at risk groups. The national AIDS strategy committee, NASC, which is chaired by my colleague Minister of State Moffatt published AIDS strategy 2000 in June 2000. This document sets out a number of recommendations for action over the next five years. The committee has three sub-committees, education and prevention, surveillance and care and management. A multi sectoral approach has been adopted by the committee and its sub-committees, which are representative of the main statutory and voluntary agencies working in the HIV-AIDS area. They also include people who are HIV positive. These committees will drive the implementation of the recommendations.
Since the publication of the first NASC report significant additional funding has been provided to health boards. As well as providing primary and hospital care for those infected they also fund a range of voluntary agencies involved in HIV-AIDS prevention and care.
HIV is a preventable illness and education and awareness are the most effective tools in the fight against infection. The links between strategies to combat HIV-AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections are important because of STIs being recognised as cofactors in the transmission of HIV. Despite the information available to young people, however, the incidence of all major sexually transmitted infection is increasing and this is obviously of serious concern. The NASC has broadened its remit to cover policy in relation to STIs and it is working on improving the present systems of surveillance and management of these conditions. One of the main messages in education and awareness programmes is that the use of condoms can significantly reduce the risk of infection and transmission.