More tools needed to combat HIV

More tools needed to combat HIV
University of Auckland - Media release - 24 May 2016

New prevention tools are needed to reduce the rising number of HIV transmissions in New Zealand, according to an HIV researcher.

The call comes in response to record numbers of new HIV diagnoses in New Zealand in 2015 - 224 overall with the majority found in gay and bisexual men.

“High levels of condom use and free HIV testing clinics have traditionally kept transmission at low levels in New Zealand and must continue,” says Dr Peter Saxton, an HIV researcher from the University of Auckland’s School of Population Health.

“These on their own are no longer sufficient to control an increasingly complex epidemic and public health responses have to evolve in step,” he says. “Otherwise we will continue to see the HIV epidemic worsen when it should be shrinking, given the interventions available.”

Dr Saxton says “the new top priority is allowing all people living with HIV to start antiviral medication as soon as they are diagnosed.

“Not only will this improve their health, but it reduces infectiousness to very low levels,” he says. “At present some individuals have to wait for their health to deteriorate before they can start treatment.”

“The next priority is to fast-track the use of antiviral treatment to greatly reduce HIV acquisition among the small number of uninfected individuals at very high risk,” says Dr Saxton.

“This approach is called HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and while it isn’t formally available in New Zealand, many in the HIV sector are keen to see it progressed for the most at risk individuals.

“Both HIV treatment on diagnosis and HIV PrEP were recommended by the World Health Organisation last year, so there is high level international support,” he says.

“Complexities in HIV prevention include a rising population living with HIV and one that is less visible because of the effectiveness of HIV treatments. Web and dating apps have also transformed the way people meet sexual partners,” says Dr Saxton.

“In the meantime individuals continue to acquire HIV and the cost of treatment rises. An investment in prevention today really will save many lives and substantial healthcare costs later,” he says.

“These new prevention tools would only apply to a small number of individuals. They are a good example of targeted interventions that use scarce health resources efficiently and have a disproportionate high impact on the epidemic,” says Dr Saxton.

ENDS

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