Infographic: AIDS in China at a low epidemic level

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With the infection rate at about 0.09 percent, AIDS in China is at a low epidemic level, said the National Health Commission (NHC).

The transmission of HIV via blood transfusions has been basically blocked, and very few cases of infection caused by blood transfusion or blood products have been reported, the NHC added.

This is a testament to China's efforts to combat the global public health issue.

AIDS statistics of China. /CGTN Infographic

Situation varies with different groups

The risk of infection remains particularly high among college students, as they are sexually active and might have unprotected sex, said Han Mengjie, director of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Annually, there are about 3,000 new cases of HIV infection taking place in colleges and universities across China, and the number in 2017 was 3077, said Han. "Homosexual behavior [contributing to sexual transmission] is responsible for 81.8 percent of the new cases."

China will further strengthen the prevention and control efforts in schools and enhance health education to help students build correct attitudes, morality and consciousness about sex, and therefore take action to protect themselves.

China has witnessed a rising incidence of HIV among the aged in recent years. /VCG Photo

There has been a rising incidence of HIV infection among the elderly, especially among males over 60, in recent years. The number infected in this group has increased from 8,391 in 2012 to 19,815 in 2017.

Reasons behind the rise are their ignorance of the danger of AIDS or prevention measures, and their low acceptance of external interference.

Relevant departments are called on to improve the situation, promoting health services and leisure activities for the elderly to reduce the risk of HIV transmission in this group.

China's mother-to-child transmission of HIV has reached a historically low level. /VCG Photo

China has also reached a historically low level of mother-to-child transmission of HIV after years of efforts. The detection rate of maternal AIDS reached 95 percent by the end of 2017, and 90 percent of mothers living with HIV and their babies are receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART).

The country has now focused on the prevention work of mother-to-child transmission in poverty-stricken areas with high incidences.

AIDS statistics around the world. /CGTN Infographic

(Top photo credit: VCG)