HIV: New infections on the decline in Taiwan

A total of 1,139 new human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections were diagnosed in Taiwan’s population between January 1 and November 24, 2021, 11% less than in the same period in 2020, according to the Taiwan Center for Disease Control (CDC) in November. 30.

The number of new HIV infections in Taiwan has dropped for the fourth year in a row, Describes the state of the epidemic in Taiwan, as well as measures taken by the state to prevent pollution and to treat people living with HIV or AIDS, according to the CDC.

According to the center, by October 2021, There are 34,403 HIV-positive citizens in Taiwan, of whom 15,287 have AIDS.. Since the outbreak, more than 43,500 people have been diagnosed with HIV in Taiwan, including 42,065 Taiwanese and 1,456 foreign nationals. In Taiwan, more than 7,500 people have died, most of them AIDS.

In 2017, 2,508 new HIV infections were detected among Taiwanese nationals, A declining number each year with 1,983 new infections in 2018, 1,748 in 2019 and 1,389 new infections in 2020, according to CDC data. According to the Center for Disease Control, the total is expected to reach 1,250 this year.

According to the CDC, The reduction is linked to preventive measures such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) introduced in Taiwan in 2016 and targeting non-infected individuals who are more exposed to HIV.

CDC promotes the use of condoms and lubricants to control their viral load, making it easier for people with HIV to have anonymous testing and early treatment.

For its AIDS policy, Taiwan represents a joint United Nations program on HIV / AIDS (UNAIDS). He made his “90-90-90” treatment his own goals:

• 90% of people living with HIV know their HIV status,
• 90% of all people tested for HIV receive long-term anti-retroviral therapy,
• 90% of people receiving antiretroviral therapy have a permanently suppressed viral load

This year, Taiwan is expected to achieve 90%, 93% and 95% relative rates for these three targets. The country estimates that by 2030, UNAIDS will be able to surpass the “95-95-95” treatment targets set. Next year, the first phase of the AIDS Eradication Plan by 2030 will be launched by the Center for Disease Control.