Undiagnosed HIV cases increasing in Europe: WHO
The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the EU health agency on Wednesday reported that many people are living with HIV in Europe without being diagnosed.
The WHO Regional Office for Europe, in a press release ahead of World AIDS Day on December 1, said the stigma still surrounding the virus that caused AIDS was to blame.
According to new data, from 2018 to 2021, more people became infected with HIV in the European region than had been diagnosed.
The WHO European Region includes more than 50 countries, including Russia, Ukraine and Turkiye.
According to the report, the number of undiagnosed HIV cases in the European Economic Area (EEA), which includes Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway on top of the European Union member states, is on the increase.
The report said, by comparison, some 12.5 per cent of HIV cases in the EEA were still not diagnosed.
WHO regional director for Europe Hans Kluge said, “We should all be deeply concerned by the data on HIV testing, treatment and care. Continuing, the widespread stigma around HIV is deterring people from getting tested and is steering us dangerously off course from meeting our 2030 goal of ending AIDS.”
Mr Kluge added, “We must work together to make sure that no one feels afraid of getting tested, nor shame, despair or isolation about their status. Everyone everywhere should be able to get the services and respectful care they need.”
Andrea Ammon, director of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), highlighted the importance of HIV testing, saying those diagnosed late “have higher chances of severe illness and even death.”
She also stressed the dangers for public health, saying, “untreated positive individuals can unknowingly pass on HIV to their sexual partners.”
In 2021, some 300 new HIV diagnoses were made daily across 46 of the 53 countries in Europe, including 45 each day in EEA countries, according to the WHO.
The international body said it amounted to 106,508 new diagnoses reported in Europe and 16,624 in the EU over the entire year.
(dpa/NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
States
Independence: NBA urges Nigerians to expect better future
The NBA said that ordinary Nigerians should be deriving benefit from the subsidy removal rather than hardship.
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
States
Expert says female students facing school-related gender-based violence
The programme was facilitated by International IDEA, with funding from the European Union (EU).
NationWide
52-year-old man apprehended in Ghana over 37 parcels of suspected drugs
Ms Dzakpasu stated that intelligence indicated that the suspect allegedly feigned madness to conceal his suspected illicit activities.
Africa
Four persons remanded in Ghana for rioting over festival cancellation
The Ghanaian police said the suspects were remanded on Tuesday.
NationWide
Expert seeks coordinated action against cyber threats, disinformation ahead of 2027 poll
Mr Joseph said Nigeria had an estimated 109 million internet users and 47.8 million social media user identities by late 2025.
NationWide
Edo pensioners back Okpebholo, Tinubu’s re-election
The pensioners made the pledge on Wednesday during a thank-you and solidarity visit to the Government House, Benin.
World
Death toll hits 64 in Spain’s high-speed passenger train collision
Mr Sanchez said emergency services were working to assist those affected and ensure their safety.
