French officials
concerned over rise in HIV cases

French health officials are concerned over new data showing that new HIV cases rose 16% in 2004, with 7,000 new infections reported in the country, Agence France-Presse reports. In addition, about 1,500 French HIV-positive people progressed to an AIDS diagnosis in 2004, reports the Institut de Veille Sanitaire. Gay and bisexual men accounted for about 24% of the new infections. The majority of new HIV infections were transmitted through heterosexual sex, with women accounting for two thirds of the cases among heterosexuals.

Xavier Bertrand, France's health minister, told Agence France-Presse that he is "worried about the increasing transmission and worried about the decrease and even the absence of preventative behavior." (Advocate.com)