By the end of 2004 there were 3,764 diagnosed HIV cases in Ireland, of which 1,203 (32%) were probably infected through injecting drug use.1 In 2004, there were 365 newly diagnosed cases reported to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre, of which 71 (20%) were infected through injecting drug use (Figure 1). This represents an increase on the numbers of new HIV cases in 2002 (50) and 2003 (49). Of the 71 new HIV cases, 44 were male and 27 were female and the average age was 30.1 years. Of the 64 cases for whom place of residence was known, 60 lived in the HSE Eastern Region. The authors of the report highlighted the need to continue to promote the use of harm reduction measures among injecting drug users. Figure 1   Number of new cases of HIV among injecting drug users by year of diagnosis reported in Ireland, 1986 to 2002 (adapted from Kelly and Clarke 2000; National Disease Surveillance Centre 2002, 2003, 2004;  Health Protection Surveillance Centre 2005)

Figure 1 Number of new cases of HIV among injecting drug users by year of diagnosis reported in Ireland, 1996-2002 (adapted from Kelly and Clarke 2000; National Disease Surveillance Centre 2002, 2003, 2004; Health Protection Surveillance Centre 2005)

1. Health Protection Surveillance Centre (2005) Newly diagnosed HIV infections in Ireland: Quarters 3 & 4 2004 and 2004 annual summary. Dublin: Health Service Executive.