HIV figures grim for North West

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The North West had the third highest prevalence of HIV sufferers in the country in 2009 according to figures released by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) today.

Out of every 1,000 people in the region, 1.37 were reported to suffer from the condition, lower only than London and the South East.

Manchester had the highest rate of all the North West Primary Care Trust’s (PCT), with 5.22 people infected per 1,000, whilst the national average was 1.4.

Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale PCT had figures of 1.26 diagnosed with the disease per 1,000 people.

In the North West 5,640 people accessed HIV related services in 2009, the highest number outside London.

The number of people living with HIV in the UK reached an estimated 86,500, with more than a quarter, almost 22,500 people, unaware of their infection.

Dr Paul Cosford, HPA’s director of Health Protection Services, said: “Today’s figures suggest that extra effort is needed to ensure more people are aware of their HIV status. This will enable faster access to treatment, improve survival and reduce the risk of transmission to partners.”

Despite the figures representing the fourth year-on-year decline in the number of new diagnoses, down to 6,630 from 7,982 in 2005, evidence suggests the number of undiagnosed infections has not declined in the past decade.

Over half of people newly diagnosed in 2009, 3,450, were diagnosed late, after the stage when treatment should have started.

According to the report a total of 516 people, 362 men and 154 women, infected with HIV died in 2009, 73% of whom were diagnosed late.

Dr Valerie Delpech, consultant epidemiologist and head of HIV surveillance at the HPA, said: “We’re very concerned that a large number of people in the UK are unaware of their HIV status and that half of all newly diagnosed people are diagnosed late, meaning they may not benefit from very effective treatments.”

Dr Delpech added: “Thanks to the development of anti-retroviral treatments and universal access to world class health care through the NHS, HIV is a manageable illness for the vast majority of people in this country. We’re very pleased that 8 out of 10 people in London newly diagnosed with HIV are receiving immediate access to care but we need to ensure this is maintained and improved upon across the UK.”