Number of those diagnosed with HIV continuing to decrease
Despite two children being diagnosed with perinatally acquired HIV in 2024 — the first cases in New Zealand in more than a decade — the latest research shows the incidence of people being diagnosed with HIV continues to decline.
The number of cases peaked in New Zealand in 2016, but University of Otago HIV Epidemiology Group figures show 95 people were diagnosed with HIV in New Zealand in 2024.
Group leader Dr Sue McAllister said although the number was higher than in the years impacted by the Covid-19 epidemic (2021 and 2022), it represented a decline from the annual average of 138 diagnoses over the preceding 2016 to 2020 period.
"Overall, to the end of 2024, there has been a 31% reduction in locally acquired HIV infections since 2010."
The downward trend was a credit to all the hard work being undertaken across the HIV and wider healthcare sector, she said.
While the trend was promising, vigilance was still required.
"It is important to continue the main HIV transmission prevention efforts — condom use; uptake and adherence to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP); regular HIV testing; and testing for other sexually transmitted infections."
The national HIV action plan included a 2030 target of 90% reduction in locally acquired HIV infections, compared with a 2010 baseline, Dr McAllister said.
Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM) were the group most affected by HIV in New Zealand.
Of the 95 people diagnosed in the country last year, 53 were MSM, 23 cases were heterosexually acquired (11 women and 12 men) and the means of acquisition for 19 people was reported as other or unknown.
Of the 53 MSM, 38 were reported to have acquired HIV in New Zealand, which is a 46% reduction compared with 2010.
The reduction was predominantly among European MSM, whereas the number in other ethnic groups of MSM had either increased or stayed the same.
The two children diagnosed with perinatally acquired HIV in 2024 were the first cases born in New Zealand in more than a decade.
Dr McAllister said ensuring access to HIV screening, treatment and care needed to be prioritised and strengthened to prevent any future perinatal transmissions.
There continued to be a large number of people living in New Zealand who were first diagnosed with HIV overseas (166), compared to an annual average of 58 per year over the five years from 2018 to 2022.
Those people were mostly from countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America, she said.
The majority (87%) had an undetectable viral load, indicating they were on antiretroviral therapy and could not pass HIV on sexually.
People living with diagnosed HIV also made up less than 0.1% of migrant arrivals in 2024.
"As always, it is important to remember that with advances in treatment, people living with HIV can lead long and fulfilling lives," Dr McAllister said.
john.lewis@odt.co.nz
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