A total of 36 HIV cases were recorded in Macau from January to October this year, according to the latest figures provided by the Health Bureau (SSM).
Among all the confirmed cases, 20 were local male residents aged from 20 to 39.
The majority, 15 local residents, contracted the virus as a result of same-sex sexual encounters, three residents contracted it as the result of heterosexual sexual encounters, and the method of transmission for two cases has yet to be confirmed.
18 local residents have undergone medical follow-up appointments at Hospital Centre S. Januario, while another two have passed away.
Since 2015, the number of local residents who have contracted HIV as a result of same-sex relations has been growing.
Given this increase, in a bid to raise public awareness and lower the infection rate in the community, the SSM has increased advertising which encourages individuals to get regularly tested for the sexually transmitted infection on dating websites and apps.
Other measures to protect the community include online outreach to high-risk groups and supporting the hosting of promotional events at nightclubs which are centered around preventive measures which should be taken.
The government revealed the data on November 30, a day before the World AIDS Day – which was established in 1988 by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and has been observed globally on December 1.
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