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HIV/AIDS Situation in Bulgaria
The current incidence of HIV/AIDS in Bulgaria is comparatively
low. A total of 471 HIV-positive patients were recorded
till 20 February 2004. Data from recent years, however,
indicates a trend towards rapid increase in the number
of newly registered cases. According to the analysis of
the current situation, it is still possible to take efficient
measures to limit the spread of HIV in Bulgaria.
- Data analysis shows that 68 % of the infected people
are men and 32 % are women.
- The main mode of transmission of the infection
is through sexual intercourse - 91 % of the cases,
blood transmission – 8 % and mother-to-child transmission
/perinatal infection/ - 1 % of the cases.
- 192 000 people were tested in the first 9 months
of 2002.
- 6 new cases were registered officially from 01
January 2004.
- 70 % of the HIV positive are in the 20 - 39 age
group.
- The youngest man with HIV is 21 years old and the
oldest man is 56 years old. The youngest woman with
HIV is 24 years old, and the oldest woman is 55 years
old.
- Data show that the infected people belong to different
social groups
Since 1990 there has been an alarming trend towards an
increase in the number of syphilis cases. In 1990 the
number of newly recorded syphilis cases was 378 (4.5 out
of 100,000) whereas in 1999 there were 2509 new cases
(30 out of 100,000). According to WHO criteria some regions
in the country are on the verge of an epidemic outbreak.
Hepatitis B and C infection rates in Bulgaria are several
times higher than those in some European countries. The
large number of chronic cases resulting in physical disability
and death, combined with the considerable costs of treatment,
makes these diseases a social and economic issue of paramount
importance.
A separate ward for patients with HIV/AIDS at the Infectious
Diseases Hospital – Sofia have been working for 4 years
and provides more opportunities for clinical and laboratory
testing.
There is a closed cycle between the National HIV Confirmatory
Laboratory at the National Center of Parasitic and Infectious
Diseases, the Infectious Diseases Hospital – Sofia and
the National Immunological Laboratory at the NCIPD. This
cycle gives an opportunity for clinical, clinical-laboratory,
virological and immunologic surveillance of the patients
with HIV and AIDS. In the separate laboratories the patients
are tested under a code which guarantees confidentiality.
Ministry of Health provided the necessary financial resources
and medicaments for tripple antiretroviral therapy were
bought in 2002.
9 medicaments were bought, which allowed new combinations
of tripple therapy and an individual approach in the treatment
of each patient. The necessary funds for immunologic and
virological monitoring of the anti-retroviral therapy
were provided. The procurement of tests for HIV is being
made regularly to all Hygiene Epidemiological Inspectorates
/HEI/ and Dermato-Venereological Dispensaries /DVD/ in
the country. Voluntary HIV testing is free of charge and
can be done anonymous or confidential.
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