Thirty-two new cases of HIV / AIDS were recorded from January 2013 until today in Cyprus, a number that according to experts is very large, in relation to the proportion of the country's population, while from 1986 until today they have been diagnosed with the virus. HIV / AIDS 825 people, of which 423 are Cypriots and 370 foreigners.
Experts are talking about an increase in new cases, with the most recent being recorded just the day before yesterday.
And while data collection continues, the new infections that will eventually be reported throughout 2013 are estimated to be at even higher levels than in previous years, when a significant increase in carriers had already been recorded.
Experts differ on a possible outbreak of AIDS in Cyprus.
In her statements to KYPE, the President of the AIDS Support Center (KYFA) Stella Michailidou said that the numbers of new cases recorded this year are worrying and the alarm bell is ringing that there should be no complacency, since Cyprus is faced with a possible outbreak of Aids.
For his part, the Head of the National Program for Aids of the Ministry of Health Dr. Ioannis Dimitriadis told KYPE that although the risk of spreading the virus always exists, however at the moment Cyprus is not facing a possible outbreak.
However, both experts, speaking to KYPE, expressed their concern because there are HIV-positive people, who are infected and do not yet know or have been diagnosed abroad and are not registered in the official records of the Ministry of Health, a fact -as they said- that may increase new incidents by the end of the year.
According to them, the superficial sexual behavior, the increase of drugs and the movement of the population through the roadblocks, are very dangerous factors, which may lead to an outbreak of the phenomenon.
According to Ms. Michailidou, in the first half of 2013 at least ten more cases were recorded than were recorded in the corresponding period in previous years, to add that this alone is enough for the state to start worrying.
He noted that recently they contacted KYFA five new cases from Cyprus, which asked for information, because they did not know where to go for further examinations.
"These five cases are not recorded in the official records of the Ministry of Health", stressed Ms. Michailidou.
He also said that there are people who do not know so far that they are HIV positive, as well as people who have been diagnosed abroad and are not registered, while he expressed the belief that there will definitely be people who are carriers of the virus and know it, but have not contacted anyone in charge.
Ms. Michailidou stated that there should be no complacency and called on those suspected of carrying the virus to be tested.
"I do not think we should worry. When will we worry? When do we reach the peak? We must send the message that the world around us must be careful. I believe that there is an increase of around ten cases compared to last year. It is wrong to give the message that nothing is happening and that everything is rosy around us. "There are factors in Cyprus that should worry us and the numbers are worrying based on the population of Cyprus," said Ms. Michailidou.
Contrary to the official data available to the Ministry of Health, which refer to numbers that are at the same level as last year, the President of KYFA said that the specific numbers do not represent the real situation.
Referring to the recent incident with the prostitute, who tested positive for HIV / AIDS, Ms. Michailidou wondered if we should be calm in the face of such an incident. "There was a panic when the incident was announced and everyone ran to do analyzes. "The Gregorian Clinic's phone kept ringing," he said.
He also attributed the growing trend of new HIV / AIDS cases to the financial crisis, which is leading to an increase in prostitution and intravenous drug use.
He also mentioned that cases of male prostitution have been found recently in Cyprus, phenomena, he added, unprecedented for the Cypriot data.
For his part, Mr. Demitriadis stated that Cyprus has a low rate of HIV infection, adding that this rate ranks Cyprus among the countries with a low impact.
Asked by KYPE to refer to the official data of the first half of 2013, Mr. Dimitriadis said that until August 2013 there were 32 incidents, of which 31 reside in Cyprus and 1 left abroad.
He added that of the 31 people diagnosed with the virus, 26 are Cypriots and five are European citizens, while he noted that in 2012 58 cases were recorded, of which 37 were Cypriots, 13 European citizens and the remaining 8 from other countries. .
As he mentioned, since 1986 until today 825 people have been diagnosed with HIV / AIDS, of which 423 are Cypriots and 370 are foreigners.
He concluded by saying that the Ministry of Health is already planning public awareness campaigns on the occasion of World AIDS Day, adding that an effort is being made to keep these campaigns running throughout the year.
Source: CITIZEN