In Hong Kong, one out of three of bisexual men should be infected with HIV by 2020 if prevention programs collapse, experts warned.

HIV is largely passed from man to man through sex, in Hong Kong. HIV infection in gay and bisexual men has dramatically increased since 2003.

The number has elevated from 50 to 112 in the period of 2003 to 2006, while new infections among heterosexuals remained within 110-116 each year.

“If all our actions fail, by 2020 we can have one-third infected in the community. Some of them may go on to infect women,” said Wong Ka-hing, Govt. Center for Health Protection.

Four percent, of gay and bisexual population is HIV-positive and three different strains of HIV are circulating in the local community.

“There are three clusters (of people infected by the three strains) … we investigated and found common risk factors like a number of people attending the same sex parties, Internet use (to search for sex partners), using recreational drugs, unsafe sex and STD,” Wong said.

“Not many people (in this community) think safe sex is important. Their condom use is lower than heterosexual men.” Wong said.

“Early diagnosis is very important. We need to identify newly infected cases, especially among people who are sexually active. Immediately after infection, the viral load is very high, so the chance of transmitting to others is very high,” Chen said.

Chen suggested the use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, which detects viruses in the blood right after infection and well before the body starts producing antibodies.

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