New HIV cases on the rise

Australia has recorded the largest number of new HIV cases since the early 1990s, according to new research to be released today.

The findings in three national surveillance reports show the proportion of gay men having unprotected sex has increased and the rate is at its highest in seven years in Sydney.

At the same time, the rates of syphilis, gonorrhoea and hepatitis B and C are declining, while urgent action is needed to cut the rates of sexually transmitted bacterial infections in Aboriginal communities.

Associate professor David Wilson, from the National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and clinical research at the University of NSW, says Australia is experiencing a continuing epidemic of chlamydia, particularly in the 15 to 29 age group.

He says more than 62,000 Australians were diagnosed with chlamydia last year.

Professor Wilson says the Commonwealth earlier this year endorsed five new national strategies for blood-borne and sexually transmissible infections.