Singapore: A total of 123 cases of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infections, which causes the disease Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), were reported to Center for Health Protection (CHP), Department of Health (DH), Hong Kong, during the second quarter of 2013. This brings the cumulative total of reported HIV infections to 6,045 since 1984.

Reviewing the HIV/AIDS situation in Hong Kong, consultant, Special Preventive Programme, CHP, Dr Wong Ka-hing, said that sexual transmission remained the major mode of HIV transmission in Hong Kong.

"Members of the public with a history of unsafe sex should take an HIV test early. They can call the DH's AIDS Hotline on 2780 2211 for a free, anonymous and confidential HIV test," Dr Wong said.

Of the 123 HIV cases reported in this quarter, 64 acquired the infection via homosexual or bisexual contact, 27 via heterosexual contact, two through drug injection and one via blood product transmission occurring outside Hong Kong. The routes of transmission of the remaining 29 cases were undetermined due to inadequate information.

The newly diagnosed cases of the second quarter of 2013 were mainly reported by three major sources, including public hospitals and clinics (39 cases), the DH's Social Hygiene Clinics, (22 cases), and AIDS service organizations (22 cases).