Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania: 55 new infections with HIV in MV last year

Schwerin (dpa / mv) - According to the Schwerin Ministry of Health, the number of infections with the HI virus in the north-east is low.

Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania: 55 new infections with HIV in MV last year

Schwerin (dpa / mv) - According to the Schwerin Ministry of Health, the number of infections with the HI virus in the north-east is low. There are currently around 1,500 people living with HIV in the region, said Minister Stefanie Drese (SPD) on Thursday, citing estimates by the Robert Koch Institute. There were 55 new infections last year. About 200 of the estimated 1,500 infections have not yet been diagnosed - so those affected do not know anything about their infection.

Nationwide, the RKI estimates the number of people infected with HIV at 91,000 (as of the end of 2021). Of these, around 8,600 infections have not yet been diagnosed.

"It is gratifying that health education and good medical care in the state are helping to keep the number of new infections in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania low," said Drese. At the same time, World AIDS Day is an important occasion to take decisive action against the stigmatization of HIV-positive people. World AIDS Day is celebrated annually on December 1st.

According to Drese, HIV can be easily treated today, even if it is not yet curable. Highly effective drugs prevented the virus from multiplying in the body. "HIV-positive people stay healthy with timely diagnosis and treatment and no longer contract AIDS."