MINNEAPOLIS, January 28, 2010 - The number of new HIV cases in the state increased by 13 percent in 2009, marking a 17-year high, according to a new preliminary report from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH).

There were 368 HIV cases reported in 2009, compared with 326 cases in 2008.

“This increase in cases tells us that HIV/AIDS remains a significant health threat in Minnesota, and we need to take steps to strengthen our prevention efforts,” said Sanne Magnan, M.D., Minnesota Commissioner of Health.

MDH data show that a total of 9,176 HIV/AIDS cases have been reported since MDH began tracking AIDS in 1982 and HIV in 1985. The state averaged a little over 300 cases per year for nearly a decade.

“We haven’t seen the annual number of reported HIV cases at this level since 1992,” said Peter Carr, M.P.H., manager of the HIV and Sexually Transmitted Disease Section at MDH. “The increase is driven primarily by a large increase among males 15 to 24 years of age.”

In the October issue of Minnesota Medicine, which focused on HIV/AIDS, Carr explored recent trends in "Why HIV Still Matters in Minnesota" and authors, Ogechika K. Alozie, M.D., M.P.H., Shulamith Bonham, M.D., and W. Keith Henry, M.D., provided clinical guidance in "Management of HIV: A Swing Back to the Future."

Findings in the recent MDH report include:

• There were 95 cases reported among 15 to 24 year olds in 2009; 59 cases in the same age group in 2008. Of the 95 cases in 2009, 77 of them (81 percent) were males.
• Among males, male-to-male sex was the main risk factor for 88 percent.
• Of young male cases, 45 percent were white, 39 percent African-American, 11 percent Latino, 3 percent Asian, 1 percent African-born, and 1 percent multi-racial.
• Although the number of new cases in women slightly decreased to 73, women of color were overrepresented, accounting for 74 percent of new female cases.
• The new HIV cases remained concentrated within the Twin Cities metropolitan area, with increases reported in St. Paul/Ramsey, Anoka and Dakota counties. Minneapolis experienced a slight decrease in reported cases

“The good news here is that persons at risk are coming forward to be tested,” said Carr. “The challenge is that people may be letting down their guard when it comes to practicing safer sex. Although there are medications to help treat HIV infection, some may mistakenly feel the threat of dying from HIV/AIDS is over.”

To help curb the rise in HIV cases in Minnesota, MDH is working with a wide variety of community partners and state and local agencies to address the increases in new infections.

For example, using federal grant money, MDH has expanded HIV prevention and HIV testing programs targeting young and adult men who have sex with men, young heterosexuals, particularly African-American youth, and African-born persons. Additional activities include consultation with community partners, developing educational materials, and a summit with area health providers and community members in February 2010.