site.bta284 New HIV Cases Diagnosed in Bulgaria in 2024

A total of 284 new HIV cases were diagnosed in Bulgaria in 2024, the Health Ministry press office said on Friday. Men accounted for 78.2% of the new cases. In terms of age, the highest percentage (32%) of newly diagnosed HIV-positive people were between 30 and 39 years old. About 40.1% of those found to have HIV in 2024 were men infected through heterosexual contact, 19% were women infected through heterosexual contact, 28.5% were men infected through homosexual contact, and 12.7% were injection drug users. Geographically, the largest numbers of new diagnoses were made in Sofia, Varna and Burgas.

Valentine's Day, February 14, marks the beginning of the second stage of the National Anti-AIDS Campaign, which will proceed under the motto: "Pass it on - the love, not the virus," the Health Ministry said. Actor Yulian Vergov is the face of the campaign this year.

The effort is focused on raising public awareness of the routes of transmitting HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, increasing people's motivation to act responsibly with regard to their own health, and encouraging them to get tested regularly for HIV and possible co-infections (hepatitis B, hepatitis C, syphilis, tuberculosis).

Bulgaria's 28 regional health inspectorates and Bulgarian Red Cross Youth volunteers are contributing to the National Anti-AIDS Campaign by conducting various activities. Discussions are held in schools across the country, young people receive relevant training, information materials are circulated, and cost-free anonymous consultations and tests for HIV/AIDS are carried out on a voluntary basis.

The Health Ministry provides free testing and treatment with antiretroviral medicines to anyone affected by HIV/AIDS, regardless of whether they have health insurance or not. The therapy takes place in specialized units of infectious disease hospitals. A total of 2,464 people with HIV/AIDS were having antiretroviral therapy as at December 31, 2024. The treatment helps patients live longer and improves the quality of their life.