The number of individuals diagnosed with HIV in Ireland rose 21 per cent in the first half of 2007, with heterosexuals accounting for the majority of new cases.
During the first six months of last year there were 204 newly diagnosed HIV infections reported to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), compared with 337 cases for the whole of 2006.
Although the means of contraction wasn't known for all cases, of the 150 which were identified, the route of transmission was through heterosexual contact in 53 per cent of cases.
In addition, 23 per cent were among injecting drug users, and 21 per cent from male-to-male sexual contact.
Of the new HIV cases diagnosed in the first half of 2007, 54 per cent were male, 39 per cent female, and the gender was unknown in 7 per cent of cases.
Approximately 42 per cent of those diagnosed with the virus were born in sub-Saharan Africa, while 40 per cent were born in Ireland.
Mary O'Shea, executive director of Dublin AIDS Alliance (DAA), said, "The rise in diagnosis of HIV is of serious concern . . . the figures show that more work is required in developing sexual health and prevention strategies nationally".
The DAA welcomed the recent reduction of VAT on condoms from 21 per cent to 13.5 per cent but said the measure didn't go far enough, arguing that VAT should be fully removed from condoms.
