HIV/AIDS Skyrocket Among Homosexuals, 52 New Cases Recorded In 4 Months

A worrying spike in the number of new HIV/AIDS cases among homosexuals in Mauritius has been highlighted by the National AIDS Secretariat (NAS).

 With 224 new cases among men and 167 among women from 2018 to 2022, it’s the increase among homosexuals that has everyone on edge.

The numbers don’t lie—52 new cases were recorded among men and 30 among women in the first quarter of 2023 alone.

Dr. Devi Soyjaudah, the interim coordinator of the National AIDS Secretariat (NAS), was cited as telling Defi Media that despite overall efforts to combat the virus, the prevalence of HIV/AIDS among homosexuals continues to soar.

The epidemic is concentrated among key populations, including injecting drug users, sex workers, transgender individuals, men who have sex with men, and detainees in prisons. 

“The prevalence of HIV/AIDS is declining among key populations, with the exception of homosexuals,” Dr Soyjaudah said.

HIV is spread from the body fluids of an infected person, including blood, breast milk, semen and vaginal fluids.

The total number of new cases has seen an increase in recent years, with 224 cases among men and 167 cases among women from 2018 to 2022.

According to estimates from the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), Mauritius is believed to have 14,000 HIV patients.

As the numbers spiral out of control, fear and urgency grip the nation’s health authorities. 

Source: Defi Media