SL logs highest HIV cases in single quarter

a total of 346 HIV cases have been reported in 2023

181 new HIV cases, reflects a nine percent increase compared to the previous quarter

• Dramatic rise in HIV cases 
• 39 percent increase compared to second quarter of 2022
• 13 deaths in second quarter 

By Sheain Fernandopulle   

Sri Lanka has experienced a dramatic surge in HIV/AIDS cases during the second half of 2023, marking the highest number of cases reported in a single quarter since 2009.   
According to the National STD/AIDS Control Programme, Sri Lanka has 181 new HIV cases, reflecting a nine percent increase compared to the previous quarter in 2022, which saw 165 cases. The second quarter ranges from April to June.   

  This also represents a significant 39 percent increase compared to the second quarter of 2022, which had 130 cases.   

Out of the cases reported in the second quarter, 26 males and three females fall within the age range of 15-24, while the remaining cases are individuals above 25 years old.   
The male to female ratio of reported HIV cases in 2023 stands at 8.1:1.   

Furthermore, the second quarter has reported 13 deaths related to HIV/AIDS.   

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka has officially reported 10 HIV cases among the transgender community, while a total of 3,968 males and 1,379 females have contracted HIV thus far since 2009.  
Commenting on the situation, Dr Janaki Vidanapathirana, the Director at National STD/AIDS Control Programme told Daily Mirror that they had noticed a notable uptick in HIV cases in 2023.  

“So far, a total of 346 HIV cases have been reported in 2023, which is a clear increase compared to the last year,”   “With the current trend, the cases are likely to increase further in coming months as well,” she added.  

When asked about the reason for the rise in cases, Dr Vidanapathirana noted that the increase in cases can be attributed to the expansion of the testing capacity, the poor knowledge among people on sex education and risky sexual behaviours and not taking pertinent precautions.