Brazil HIV cases rise 6.4 percent

By Ben Tavener

SAO PAULO

An estimated 781,000 people in Brazil are now living with HIV, the country's ministry of health said Tuesday to coincide with World AIDS Day.

The new estimate is 6.4 percent higher than figures released last December, which at that time predicted 734,000 HIV-positive cases.

The number of confirmed new cases, however, fell by 4.5 percent between 2013 and 2014 to 39,951, according to Health Minister Marcelo Castro.

The rate of new cases in 2014 -- 19.7 per 100,000 inhabitants -- was the lowest in 12 years, Castro said, adding that officials were "concerned by the situation regarding young people," after it was revealed the rate of new cases among the youth rose from 9.6 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2003 to 12.7 in 2013 – tripling in males between 15 and 19 years of age.

Brazil has seen an overall decline in the number of people with HIV, but the number had risen sharply between 2012 and 2013, sparking concerns the virus was not being adequately tackled.

Health officials said that of the new estimate, 83 percent are aware of their diagnosis and 405,000 are being treated. Brazil has an official target of diagnosing 90 percent of HIV infections by 2020. AIDS-related deaths in Brazil fell nearly 11 percent between 2003 and 2013.

Officials also announced Tuesday that pharmacies would be now authorized to sell HIV home test kits, which should begin in the first half of 2016.

Brazil currently offers HIV tests through the public health system and provides regular and emergency HIV medication, post-exposure prophylaxis, to those who believe they have been infected.

São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro are also testing pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, to allow those who are HIV-negative to take antiretroviral drugs to curb their risk of infection.

Local media reported that a number of official buildings would be lit up in red to mark World AIDS Day, including Congress.