Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 13 Oct 1999

Vol. 509 No. 2

Written Answers. - HIV Infection.

Seán Power

Ceist:

104 Mr. Power asked the Minister for Health and Children the total number of people who have been diagnosed as HIV positive; the number of people who have died from AIDS related illnesses to date in 1999; the way in which this compares with previous years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20034/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

The number of people who have been diagnosed as HIV positive to 31 May 1999 is 2,062. The reported total number of people who have been diagnosed as having AIDS up to the end of July, 1999 is 682 and there have been 344 deaths from AIDS.

The numbers of reported cases for HIV and deaths from AIDS over the past 10 years are shown below.

The number of HIV cases reported to the Department from 1989 to 1998

1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998
116	111	92	201	137	85	91	106	119	136

The number of AIDS Deaths reported to the Department from 1989 to 1998

1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998
15	25	21	42	44	44	46	34	7	21

National figures are small so we must be careful not to make assumptions based on figures in any given year. Figures, however, indicate that while there is a general downward trend in relation to the number of deaths from AIDS, which is most probably due to the use of effective anti-retroviral treatment, the number of new cases of HIV has continued to rise, especially over the past three years. For this reason we must not become complacent about HIV and AIDS and efforts must continue to create a greater awareness among the general public and particularly among young people of the ways in which HIV is spread in order that they may avoid infection.