In 90.8% of newly registered HIV cases in Bulgaria, the virus was transmitted sexually, the Ministry of Health said on its website on the occasion of World AIDS Day. Since the beginning of this year, 228 new HIV-seropositive persons have been detected, and between 1986 and November of 2023, a 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 release added.
The rate 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 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 are registered.
This year, as part of the National Anti-AIDS Campaign, the day will pass 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. The Ministry of Health provides free state-of-the-art testing and treatment with antiretroviral drugs to all people with HIV/AIDS in need, regardless of their health insurance status. There are 12 free and anonymous HIV counselling and testing clinics in Bulgaria, which are attached to regional health inspectorates. Pre-test and post-test counselling and testing are carried out in these offices.
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