The number of newly-reported HIV cases in Europe continues to rise, with the rate of HIV infection close to doubling between 2000 and 2007, from 40 a million population to 76 million, according to a statement by the World Health Organisation regional office for Europe to coincide with December 1 2008, World AIDS Day.

The data is based on 44 countries that had reported consistently, the organisation said.

"Important new data submitted by countries to the new joint WHO/ECDC database for HIV/AIDS surveillance, which will contribute to the work to meet the ambitious goal of universal access to prevention, treatment and care by 2010, was discussed at a recent meeting of the World Health Organisation Regional Office for Europe and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) earlier this month and are now available in a joint HIV/AIDS surveillance in Europe annual report," the statement said.

The main findings of the surveillance report include that in 2007, 48 892 newly diagnosed cases of HIV infection were reported from 49 of the 53 countries in the WHO European Region (data not available from Austria, Italy, Monaco and the Russian Federation) and 5244 diagnosed cases of AIDS were reported in 48 countries.

The highest HIV rates were reported from Estonia, Ukraine, Portugal and the Republic of Moldova.

In the 44 countries that consistently provided data since 2000, the number of newly diagnosed cases increased from 21 787 to 41 949.

In 2007, 26 279 newly diagnosed cases of HIV infection were reported in the countries of the European Union and the European Free Trade Association.

In the EU/EFTA, the highest rates were reported from Estonia, Portugal and Latvia; the lowest rates were reported by Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Romania.

In the EU/EFTA countries, the predominant mode of transmission is sex between men, followed by heterosexual contact. About 40 per cent of heterosexual cases are reported among people originating from countries with generalized HIV/AIDS epidemics.

Injecting drug use is still the main mode of HIV transmission in the Eastern European countries.
 
In the Central and Western European countries, the predominant mode of transmission is heterosexual contact while the number of HIV cases reported among men having sex with men has also increased.

Dr Nata Menabde, Deputy Regional Director for Europe, said: "Our main objective is to reverse the trend by increasing access to HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care. The number of countries that provide antiretroviral therapy (ART) - one of the most cost-effective health interventions available - is increasing.

"Today, 38 of our 53 member states provide ART to over 75 per cent of people living with HIV who need it," Menabde, said.

"This is of course encouraging, but there is no room for complacency. There are two issues that we should keep in mind. First, the number of new patients in central and eastern Europe is rising faster than the number of people with access to treatment.

"Second, strengthening the capacity of public health systems in all countries is the best defense against HIV/AIDS epidemic," she said.

Zsuzsanna Jakab, Director of the ECDC, said that HIV/AIDS remained a major public health challenge for the whole of Europe .

"ECDC and WHO Europe are working together closely to address this challenge. The publication of this report shows the value of our collaboration.  The data show the diversity of the HIV epidemics in Europe and it shows that prevention should be targeted in different ways across countries.

"Nonetheless, one challenge faced by all countries is that many of the people living with HIV are unaware that they are infected.  Reducing the barriers to HIV testing and counselling is a key priority for ECDC.  We are currently gathering evidence on best practice in this area, with a view to developing guidance," Jakab said.