Aaron Bunch Journalist with Australian Associated Press | Collection of published work | + 61 484 008 119 | abunch@aap.com.au
AIDS off Qld’s monitored diseases list
AIDS is being removed from Queensland’s list of diseases that must be reported to the health officials due to a decline in the number of cases diagnosed.
September 4, 2018
People who are diagnosed with AIDS in Queensland will no longer be required to report it to health officials following a significant fall in the number of cases.
Last year there were just 12 new cases of AIDS reported in Queensland.
Health Minister Steven Miles says the introduction of anti-retroviral treatments for HIV in 1996 has reduced the risk to the community.
“These treatments lower the viral load of HIV in the blood to virtually undetectable levels, which means they do not transmit HIV to their partners,” he said on Tuesday.
“Compared to the late 80s and early 90s, where there were hundreds of AIDS cases notified each year, this is a significant achievement.”
Research shows that people living with HIV who are receiving antiretroviral treatments and have an undetectable viral load do not develop AIDS.
Queensland AIDS Council president Peter Black says the progress was also due to the work of support groups like the council and Queensland Positive People.
“It is undoubtedly a tribute to the scientific and community response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic over several decades, (however) there remains much work to be done to end HIV transmission,” he said.
Mr Miles reminded Queenslanders to have regular sexual health checks.