The National Disease Surveillance Centre reported that there were 399 newly diagnosed HIV infections reported in 2003.1  There were 47 new diagnoses among injecting drug users during 2003, compared to 50 in 2002 and 38 in 2001.1 There were a higher number of new infections among male injectors (30, 64%) than among female injectors (17, 36%). The average age of HIV diagnosis for injecting drug users was 29 years. Of the 47 newly diagnosed cases, 45 were born in Ireland and 43 lived in the Eastern Regional Health Authority area.The cumulative total of HIV cases reported to the end of December 2003 was 3,408, of whom 1,131 (33%) were injecting drug users.

1. NDSC (2004) Newly diagnosed HIV infections in Ireland. Quarter 3 & 4 2003, & 2003 Annual Summary. Dublin: National Disease Surveillance Centre.