Last year, 960 people were newly confirmed to be infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in Japan, an increase for the first time in seven years, according to a summary by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare is calling on people who feel anxious to get tested in order to receive early treatment, as the number of tests has returned from a low number due to the effects of the new coronavirus.
According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, there were 960 people confirmed to be infected with HIV at public health centers and medical institutions nationwide in the past year.
This is 76 more people than the previous year, marking an increase for the first time in seven years.
Approximately 30% of those infected developed AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).
Regarding the infection route
, 66% of infections occurred through sexual intercourse between people of the same surname, while
14% of infections occurred through sexual intercourse between people of the opposite sex.
Due to the influence of the new coronavirus, the number of tests continued to be low, but last year there were more than 106,000 tests, which is 33,000 more than the previous year, and the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare says that the return to the number of tests has led to an increase in the number of infected people. It is said that there is a background in this.
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare says, ``We are offering free anonymous testing and consultations at public health centers and other places.In order to receive early treatment, we urge anyone who feels anxious to get tested.''