Sofia, February 11 (BTA) - In the past year, the number of newly registered men living with HIV in Bulgaria is more than six times higher than the number of newly registered women, said the press service of the Ministry of Health on Friday. In 2021, 93 per cent of newly registered people became infected with HIV sexually, and 6 per cent - through injection drug use. The 30-39 age group is the most affected by the infection, followed by the 20-29 age group.

In 2021, more than 250,000 people were tested and found out about their HIV status. From the beginning of this year until February 4, 19 new HIV-positive people were identified. From 1986 to 2021, 3,721 people with a HIV infection were registered in Bulgaria. As of December 31, 2021, 1,950 HIV patients were being followed up in treatment facilities for HIV / AIDS patients, and 1,921 of them were receiving modern antiretroviral therapy.

On the occasion of February 14, Valentine's Day, the second stage of the National ANTI-AIDS campaign will begin. Due to the pandemic of COVID-19 and the anti-epidemic measures introduced in the country, this year the initiatives that are part of the campaign will be conducted mainly online. Detailed information about the initiatives is published on the Bulgarian Red Cross website. RY/DT/DT/