Shanghai HIV/AIDS Infections Keeps Downturn Trend

The number of reported HIV-positive cases has kept a downturn trend since 2019, while the overall HIV/AIDS prevalence in the city remains low, the Shanghai Health Commission said on Sunday, the eve of World AIDS Day.

Shanghai reported 1,109 newly identified HIV cases as of November 20 this year, down from 1,282 during the same period last year.

A total of 489 patients with AIDS, and 199 AIDS deaths have been reported so far this year. There has been no mother-to-infant infection for a consecutive 16 years.

Sex remains the major transmission vehicle of HIV in the city, accounting for 97.6 percent of reported cases. Among these, males who have sex with males covers 54.6 percent of sex-related infections, the commission said.

People visiting medical facilities and voluntary counseling and testing clinics is the major measure for HIV/AIDS detection in the city.

Since the first HIV/AIDS case in Shanghai in 1987, the city has recorded 33,627 HIV/AIDS cases, including 11,771 AIDS patients and 3,404 associated deaths.

HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control

Shanghai has implemented various measures for HIV/AIDS prevention and control through effective and comprehensive interventions such as health education, promoting chronic infectious disease clinics in the communities and expanding health service stations in office buildings and industrial parks that offer HIV/AIDS screening and consultation.

A network offering intervention service for HIV pre-and post-exposure prophylasix has expanded from seven sites in five districts in 2023 to 35 in 16 districts this year, including six medical facilities offering 24-hour service.

Health authorities have also stepped up the promotion of condom availability in hotels, campus, entertainment venues and employee apartment buildings.

By cooperating with social organizations, the city has provided education and voluntary counseling and testing for key populations in entertainment venues, construction sites and wet markets.

So far this year, Shanghai has conducted more than 5 million HIV tests. There are also some 240 self-testing kit distribution spots in medical facilities, universities, office buildings and employee apartments around the city.

A more robust management network for HIV carriers and AIDS patients has been established to ensure whole-process administration and care.

More than 90 percent of the carriers and patients now receive regular follow-ups and treatment. The proportion of HIV carriers under management within 30 days upon report has increased from 76 percent in 2023 to 89 percent, the commission said.