The number of people living in South Korea that have tested positive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) reached 8,662 this year, with all new cases involving direct sexual contact, a government report showed Sunday.
The report by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) also revealed 92.1 percent of all the HIV carriers were men, with 1,114 Koreans and foreigners living here newly infected with the virus last year alone.
The agency stressed there have been no HIV cases involving blood transfusions since 2006, while the last incident caused by tainted blood products took place in 1995.
HIV destroys specific T cells in the body that helps maintain the human immune system. Once the protective cells are weakened, the body is less able to protect itself leading to acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).
The report released on the eve of World AIDS Day, showed 28.7 percent of HIV infected people in the country were in their 20s, followed by 24.1 percent in their 30s.
Reflecting such developments, health authorities said they will come up with new guidelines to protect and support people infected with HIV and halt the transmission of AIDS.
Seoul plans to announce a comprehensive plan to combat AIDS and stop the spread of HIV early next year.
“Early detection of HIV and proper treatment can allow people infected to live normal lives, so every effort will be made to prevent social discrimination,” a KCDC official said. (Yonhap)
