The number of gay or bisexual men newly diagnosed with HIV increased by 45 per cent last year compared with 2005.
Eighty-three gay or bisexual men were diagnosed with the virus that can cause Aids last year. One-third of those were diagnosed with Aids at the same time.
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre(HPSC), which compiled the 2006 HIV statistics, has expressed concern about the rise in infection rates.
In their report on newly-diagnosed HIV infections, authors Dr Kate O'Donnell and Dr Aidan O'Hora said the explanation for the increase was unclear.
"It may suggest that risk-taking behaviour has increased, alternatively it may be that those at risk are behaving responsibly and seeking testing, counselling and treatment," they wrote. "This assumption would need to be verified with clinic activity data."
The Gay Men's Health Project highlighted the figures yesterday at its annual All-Ireland Gay Health Forum at Dublin Castle. The project is the only statutory gay men's health service in this State and is funded by the Health Service Executive.
Mick Quinlan, the project's co-ordinator, said the increase was even more dramatic than when it first appeared because it followed a 30 per cent increase in infection rates between 2004 and 2005. "We would be worried and concerned if this pattern continues," he said. "We really need to find out why it is happening. There needs to be an in-depth study about it."
Mr Quinlan said that HIV was no longer in the headlines so people may be getting complacent about practising safe sex. "Remember that about one person a day is being diagnosed with HIV in this country," he said.
The Dublin Aids Alliance also cautioned against complacency with its executive director Mary O'Shea saying the figures proved that more work was required in developing sexual health and prevention strategies.
Opening the Gay Men's Health Forum yesterday, Seán Power, Minister of State at the Department of Health, said it was essential to identify and deal with the reasons for the increase. He said a campaign to combat stigma and discrimination against people infected with HIV would be launched today to mark Irish Aids Day.
Overall, there was a 6 per cent increase in newly diagnosed HIV infections reported to the HPSC last year. Of the 337 new cases, 169 were heterosexually acquired; 104 of those found to have been infected were born in sub-Saharan Africa. HIV infection was diagnosed in three children last year. Two of the children were infected by their mothers.
