#WorldAidsDay: Significant drop in HIV diagnoses as a result of Covid-19 disruptions

A new report has been released for World AIDS Day by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the World Health Organisation (WHO)’s Regional Office for Europe showing a 24% drop in the rate of newly diagnosed HIV cases between 2019 and 2020.

Rather than the report highlighting a reduction in overall cases, research shows that the drop is due to reduced HIV testing as a result of disrupted services, brought about by Covid-19 restrictions.

Worryingly, HIV cases have been increasing in the WHO European Region while information suggests that the number of people living with undiagnosed HIV is on the rise again. Medical experts have urged the world to turn its attention to “one of the most destructive pandemics in history”.

“With the world’s attention focused on the COVID-19 pandemic, we cannot forget another deadly virus that has been devastating lives and communities for nearly 40 years. Since the HIV virus was first identified in 1984, it has claimed more than 35 million lives, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in history,” said Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe.

“In recent years, many countries of the European Region have worked to increase testing and treatment while addressing social stigma.

"But new data gathered since the emergence of Covid-19 paint a worrying picture, suggesting that many people living with HIV are not being diagnosed in time, which could have long-term consequences on their quality of life,” he added.

There were 449 HIV notifications in Ireland in 2020, compared to 476 cases in 2019. But in 2018, there were 523 HIV diagnoses in this country. Ireland ranks at almost double the European average in terms of HIV diagnoses, with higher numbers than during the Aids epidemic in the 1980s and 1990s according to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre.

Despite the potential under-diagnosis and under-reporting in 2020, there were 104,765 new HIV infections diagnosed in 46 of the 53 countries in the European Region. This includes 14,971 from countries of the European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA).

EU Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides said: “Ahead of World AIDS Day, in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic, it is important to recognise the impact of the crisis on patients and healthcare systems. It is clear that we must do more for people living with HIV in regard to health-related quality of life.

“We must also invest in new approaches to prevention, treatment and care. Together, we will put the needs of patients first, and end stigma and discrimination for so many people living with HIV every day,” she added.

Ireland was late when it came to providing PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) which is a daily tablet that prevents HIV transmission even if you have sex without a condom. Whilst it should be widely available now, the pandemic curtailed sexual health services by 77%. HIV Ireland and Empower, two charities looking to provide HIV support and education, took the reins over the past year and worked to provide home test kits during this time.

In terms of destigmatising the virus, it's important to remember that people with HIV who achieve and maintain an undetectable viral load—the amount of HIV in the blood—by taking antiretroviral therapy (ART) daily as prescribed cannot sexually transmit the virus to others (undetectable = untransmittable).

Press Release - https://t.co/gTdFRR3h46

Taoiseach @MichealMartinTD, Tánaiste @LeoVaradkar, Minister @EamonRyan and Minister for Health @DonnellyStephen mark #WorldAIDSDay at @dublincastleopw. #GLOWRED4WAD pic.twitter.com/eNzbgPi9GD

— HIV Ireland (@HIVIreland) December 1, 2021