There were more new cases of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, last year than ever recorded before in Ireland. The latest Department of Health figures show there were 209 cases of HIV in 1999, an increase of 73 since the previous year. Last year's figures show an increase across all categories of infection, with drug use and heterosexual sex accounting for the highest rises. There were 41 cases of AIDS last year, the same figure as the previous year. A spokesman for the Department of Health says that it is concerned at the increase in HIV infections and is finalising a new strategy to deal with it.
However, Cáirde, the non-government support organisation for AIDS and HIV victims, has called for a broader government strategy to deal with the problem. Patrick Connolly, spokesman for Cairde says the strategy used up to now has simply not worked.
