By There has been a significant increase in the HIV infections in Sri Lanka last year compared to 2022.
According to Dr. Janaki Vidanapathirana d most of the people who had contracted HIV are in the age group of 20 to 30 years.
Dr. Vidanapathirana said 695 new HIV cases had been identified in 2023.That was a 14 percent increase from 2022, she said. According to UN estimates there were about 4100 HIV infected people in the country, she said.
National Sexually Transmitted Diseases/AIDS Control Programme yesterday said there was a significant increase in the HIV infections in Sri Lanka last year compared to 2022.
Sri Lanka has maintained a low HIV infection rate fotr some time . Currently, in Sri Lanka the estimated number of people living with HIV is 4 100 and AIDS-related cumulative deaths is less than 100. The HIV epidemic is currently concentrated among Key Population Groups with an overall positivity rate of 0.5%. How ever public health experts warn that there is danger of the trend changing.
