UK highest rate of new infections at over 5,000 cases

1 September 2003. Related: Other news.

Figures from the Health Protection Agency show 5,338 people were diagnosed with HIV last year compared to 4,965 in 2001.

There has been a significant increase in the number of heterosexuals being infected abroad – especially in Africa. More than 41,000 people living in the UK are now believed to be HIV positive. One in three of these do not know they have the virus.