HIV Rates Triple in Australia’s Northern Territory in Just 12 Months

Australia’s Northern Territory (NT) recorded 36 HIV cases in 2012, compared to 11 in 2011, primarily due to 14 new diagnoses from irregular arrivals sent to the Immigration Detention Centres in Darwin.

Without the irregular arrivals, NT’s 2012 statistics would still be high at 22 cases. NT AIDS and Hepatitis Council Executive Director Craig Cooper said they are not sure whether they are seeing a spike or a trend, but that the jump in statistics was surprising.

The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.

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