HIV timebomb

More than 19,000 Londoners are living with HIV or Aids, a report revealed today.

Thousands more may have either without knowing it.

HIV is now spreading faster than ever, according to a report from the Health Protection Agency (HPA), with more than eight new cases diagnosed every day in London.

The escalation comes amid an explosion of sexually transmitted-infections that campaigners are blaming on a more relaxed attitude to sex.

Experts say the expected HIV and Aids epidemic did not hit in the Eighties and as people with the condition now live far longer thanks to new drug programmes, many people have become more relaxed about the risks.

The growth in sex tourism and immigration from the developing world have also fuelled a rise in cases here. But critics say the Government's record on sexual health services has let the situation get out of control.

Liberal Democrat health spokesman Paul Burstow said: "Ministers have dithered and delayed for too long on sexual health. Sex infections are rocketing and finally the Government is waking up to this problem."

More than 53,000 people in the UK are now living with HIV or Aids and a quarter of them do not know they have it. A total of 6,606 people were newly diagnosed with the disease last year - half of them in London.

The majority of new cases were heterosexuals.

The Agency's report comes after the World Health Organisation data revealed the number of cases worldwide has reached almost 40million. Co-author Dr Kevin Fenton said: "This increase in the number of newly diagnosed infections is largely contributed to by the migration of people from areas of the world where there is a high prevalence of HIV, such as sub-Saharan Africa.

"The number of new infections diagnosed in gay and bisexual men is expected to be the highest for over 10 years, with 1,735 diagnoses reported so far for 2003." The number of heterosexuals contracting HIV/Aids in this country has risen threefold in the last five years to 341.

The report also shows the number of sexually transmitted infections has risen 20 per cent in London in four years. Campaigners blame inadequate sex education in schools and long waits at genito-urinary (GU) medicine clinics.

Last week's public health White Paper set out government plans to tackle the crisis, including a national chlamydia screening programme.

National Aids Trust chief Deborah Jack said: "The burden of dealing with the UK's HIV epidemic is felt disproportionately in London.

"While we are pleased the practice of offering voluntary, confidential HIV testing has resulted in a drop in the number of undiagnosed cases, there is still a long way to go. Waits for GU clinics in London are still

unacceptably high and we urge the Government to implement the 48-hour waiting limit as a matter of priority."

The HPA report, Focus on Prevention, also outlines measures being taken to reduce the number of new cases.

Antenatal HIV screening has led to about 90 per cent of HIV-infected pregnant women in England being diagnosed prior to giving birth, so action can be taken to cut the chance of the babies being born with HIV.

HPA chief executive Professor Pat Troop said: "The excellent sexual health services that we have in this country are under increasing pressure.

"Each HIV infection prevented can save between ?500,000 and ?1million in treatment and lost productivity, and can also save the significant social costs placed upon those who become infected.

"If prevention efforts are to be scaled up to tackle these epidemics, sustained funding is required. People can play their own part by ensuring they take steps to protect themselves by practising safer sex with all new and casual partners. Anyone who thinks they have put themselves at risk of contracting an infection should go to a clinic for testing, particularly as some infections can have no symptoms."