What Does Singapore's 151 New HIV Cases in 2024 Reveal About Late Diagnoses?

Singapore, May 20 (NationPress) reported a total of 151 new human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cases in 2024, with 78 of these diagnoses occurring at a late stage of infection, as per the latest statistics from the Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA).

Approximately 62 percent of the newly identified cases were discovered during medical evaluations, with a significant number already in the advanced stages of HIV infection.

The revelation that over half of the recent diagnoses were made late is alarming, stated Wong Chen Seong, who leads national initiatives for HIV, hepatitis C, and sexually transmitted infections at the CDA, during an interview with local media.

Wong explained that while both early- and late-stage patients can typically achieve an undetectable viral load after three to six months of treatment, those diagnosed late often face severe complications due to weakened immune systems.

Treatment for patients in advanced stages involves not just suppressing the virus to avert further immune damage, but also managing accompanying illnesses, according to reports from Xinhua news agency.

He emphasized that once the immune system is compromised, recovery may take longer, with the timeline depending on the individual’s overall health, age, and initial immune status. During recovery, these individuals are also at a heightened risk for other infections.

As of the end of 2024, there are 7,137 residents in Singapore known to be living with HIV.

The annual rate of new HIV cases in Singapore has been steadily declining over the years, decreasing from 300 to 500 cases per year between 2009 and 2019, to approximately 200 to 250 cases between 2020 and 2023.

The World Health Organization defines HIV as a virus that attacks the body’s immune system, with AIDS representing the most severe stage of infection.

HIV targets white blood cells, diminishing the immune system's effectiveness, which increases susceptibility to diseases such as tuberculosis, infections, and certain cancers.

The virus is transmitted through the bodily fluids of an infected individual, including blood, breast milk, semen, and vaginal fluids, but is not spread through kissing, hugging, or sharing meals. Additionally, transmission can occur from mother to child.

Preventive measures and treatments for HIV are available through antiretroviral therapy (ART). If left untreated, HIV can progress to AIDS over many years.

The WHO defines Advanced HIV Disease (AHD) based on a CD4 cell count of less than 200 cells/mm3 or WHO stage 3 or 4 in adults and adolescents, with all children under five years old living with HIV classified as having advanced HIV disease.