New HIV infections up 20% in United Kingdom

The number of newly reported HIV cases in the United Kingdom jumped 20% in 2002, with additional increases expected for 2003, according to the U.K. Health Protection Agency. The number of new infections in the country is expected to top 7,000 in 2003, the highest number ever recorded there. Of that number, more than 2,000 are expected to be reported among gay and bisexual men. Health officials say the increase is due to the rise of unprotected sex in the country, particularly among gay and bisexual men. Barry Evans, an epidemiologist in HIV and sexually transmitted diseases for HPA, said that "the rising trend in new diagnoses is liable to only get worse before it gets better."