| 2016 AIDS Report Shows Decreasing Number of New Infections |
| Tue, October 24, 2017 |
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The Annual HIV Statistical Report for 2016 has been released and the Ministry of Health statistics say that there were 225 new diagnosed cases of HIV in Belize.
That's 9 fewer cases than in 2015, and a tie for the number of new cases reported in 2014.
2 of every 3 persons who tested positive for the sexually transmitted infection were males. The Belize District had the highest numbers of new cases with 67 males and 59 females who have been diagnosed with the HIV.
The Toledo District had the lowest number of new HIV cases with only 6 males and 4 females testing positive. They were closely followed by Orange Walk, which had 9 males and 6 females, and Corozal which had 10 males and 5 females. Stann Creek had 10 males and 11 females who had been diagnosed, and Cayo had the second highest numbers with 16 males and 21 females.
Those 225 new HIV cases represent 0.7% of the 32,635 persons who tested themselves last year. There are now 3,665 persons living with HIV. 1,353 of those persons are receiving anti-retroviral drugs. 104 persons died last year from HIV related conditions.
The HIV Statistical Report notes that there were 35 cases of HIV reported among pregnant women in 2016. 14 of those cases were new infections. There were 35 babies born last year to HIV positive mothers, and none of them were infected with HIV. That number indicates that the Ministry's HIV Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission strategies appear to be working.
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