HIV cases climb
25% in Greece

Health officials in Greece say the number of new HIV diagnoses in the county has increased about 25% in 2005, with 522 new cases reported through December 8, Agence France-Presse reports. Most of the cases were reported among gay men, but women accounted for 25% of the new infections, say Greek health officials. The increase was attributed to the lack of public HIV awareness and prevention campaigns in the country and a growing sense of treatment optimism, says health minister Nikitas Kaklamanis. (Advocate.com)