A new push to encourage people to have regular HIV testing is part of a goal to increase the rates of early diagnosis.
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Although the rate of new cases in NSW is down 23 per cent, Alison Nikitas from the Murrumbidgee Local Health District said almost half of all people who have HIV are diagnosed at a late stage of infection.
According to the latest data report from the NSW HIV Strategy 2016-2020, in the year ending March 2018, there were 133 residents of the Murrumbidgee Local Health District being prescribed antiviral therapy for HIV.
NSW Health has set the goal of virtually eliminating HIV transmission by 2020 and is trying to raise awareness of the available testing options.
“We want to see this downward trend continue and urge anyone at risk of HIV to ensure they are regularly tested,” Ms Nikitas said.
“Once a person is diagnosed, they can start treatment early, improve their health and prevent the virus from being passed on to others.”
Between January and September 2018, 191 NSW residents received a new diagnosis of HIV infection, compared with 249 during the same period in 2013-2017, according to the report.
“This reduction is due to more people seeking early testing and treatment, as well as the introduction of pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV (PrEP),” Ms Nikitas said.
"PrEP, the use of medications to prevent HIV in those at risk, is also used traditionally to treat the infection. It is available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
“The highly successful NSW Health, EPIC-NSW trial made PrEP available to 9414 people at risk of HIV from March 1, 2016, to April 30, 2018.”
The data also shows from January to September 2018 there were 42 per cent fewer Australian-born men having sex with men diagnosed with early stage HIV infection, compared to the same period over the past five years.
“HIV in overseas-born men who have sex with men as well as heterosexual men, is often diagnosed late, which can lead to avoidable HIV-related illness,” Ms Nikitas said.
Wagga Base Hospital will have a display in the foyer on November 30, from 9.30am to 12.30pm, to mark HIV Awareness Week and raise awareness for World AIDS Day on December 1.
Between November 26 and December 3, there will be a display in the Wagga City Library, which will also host a screening of the movie BPM on Friday, November 30, at 6pm.
The cost is a gold coin donation to the Red Ribbon Appeal. To attend, email tarapali@acon.org.au.
For testing, visit www.health.nsw.gov.au/hiv-test.