There are now more infections coming from the homosexual and bisexual groups.

“About 65% of infections now are from the homosexual and bisexual groups, while 31% are from sexual relations between men and women,” said senior principal assistant director (HIV/STI) of the Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya Health Department Dr Rohaya Ramli.

“Previously, 80% of HIV infections were from drug abuse.

“But according to statistics obtained up to June this year, the trend now shows that 96% of infections are from sexual activity,” she said in the Nine11 programme on Bernama News Channel today.

Rohaya said from 1986 until last December, 110,000 cases of HIV infections were recorded nationwide.

The total number of AIDS infection cases stands at 23,000 with 18,000 deaths, she added.

“The cumulative number of cases in Kuala Lumpur remains the same, with 9,700 HIV cases reported, 3,600 AIDS cases and 2,300 deaths recorded.”

Rohaya said to achieve its target of zero HIV infection cases in Kuala Lumpur by 2020, the health ministry had launched prevention and control campaigns, focusing on youths.

“We also pay attention to high-risk groups, which include the drug users, female sex workers, homosexuals and transvestites.

“Among the measures taken is stressing on the dangers of HIV to youths so that they avoid sexual contact before marriage,” she said, urging high-risk groups to take screening tests.