JOHOR BARU: The Johor Health Department has reported 188 new HIV cases this year, with 94 per cent of patients receiving antiretroviral treatment.
Antiretroviral treatment, which involves a combination of anti-HIV drugs, helps suppress the virus, prevents resistance, and improves the quality of life for those living with HIV.
State Health and Environment Committee chairman Ling Tian Soon said that as of the 50/2024 epidemiological week, Johor had recorded a total of 431 HIV cases, with 188 classified as new infections.
This marks an infection rate of 4.6 per 100,000 residents.
Last week, six new cases were confirmed, including three in Johor Baru, and one each in Muar, Kota Tinggi, and Batu Pahat.
Johor Baru recorded the highest number of new HIV cases, with 104 reported.
Other areas with notable cases include Batu Pahat (16), Kulai (13), Segamat (14), Kluang (9), Pontian (7), Kota Tinggi (7), Mersing (6), Tangkak (6), and Muar (6).
Ling said that nearly half (48 per cent) of the new cases were among individuals aged 20 to 29, followed by 36 per cent in the 30 to 39 age group.
Alarmingly, about 3 per cent of cases were in teenagers aged 15 to 19.
The majority of the cases (91 per cent) were male, with 67 per cent identified as homosexual or bisexual, and 30 per cent as heterosexual.
The state recorded a decline in AIDS cases, with 212 reported this year compared to 250 in the previous year.
The number of deaths from HIV and AIDS also decreased slightly, with 18 deaths from HIV and 49 from AIDS, compared to the previous year.
Ling said efforts to increase awareness, testing, and treatment across the state were ongoing.
He urged high-risk individuals to undergo testing and seek treatment immediately.