New HIV infections and AIDS deaths at 30-year low, UNAIDS report finds

Rio de Janeiro: New HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths have fallen to their lowest levels in more than 30 years, according to a special report released by UNAIDS ahead of the 26th International AIDS Conference in Rio de Janeiro.

The report highlights major progress in both prevention and treatment. 7 countries achieved nearly 80% reduction in new infections since 2010: Benin, Eswatini, Kenya, Lesotho, Nepal, Rwanda, and Zimbabwe. 11 countries have reached the “95-95-95” treatment targets. That means 95% of people living with HIV know their status, 95% of those diagnosed are on antiretroviral therapy (ART), and 95% of those on ART are virally suppressed.

UNAIDS also pointed to a “prevention revolution” underway with new medicines. Long-acting options are entering the market, including monthly and six-month injections, and monthly pills are in late-stage trials.

“The world is on the cusp of an HIV prevention revolution in prevention medicines which offer close to vaccine like protection against HIV,” UNAIDS said in a statement. “What is coming to market and in the pipeline is extraordinary.”