On World AIDS Day, the Health Ministry reported that Israel saw 317 new cases of HIV in 2024, a decrease of approximately 22% compared to 2023.

Yet the stigma connected to the virus prevents people from being tested, so there may be more unreported cases, Israel AIDS Task Force CEO George Avni told The Times of Israel.

“People still think that this disease is only for gay people, for men having sex with men, for people who work in the sex industry, or for people who inject drugs,” said Avni. “We know it’s not true. This is a virus. It’s a human virus. It can transfer to every human being.”

He said the task force, which turned 40 this year, is trying to raise awareness and minimize those undiagnosed cases.

“Our main goal is to encourage people to get tested,” he said. “It’s the first link of the chain. If people get tested, they get diagnosed, they get treatment, and then there will be no new infections.”

AIDS, or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, is a collection of clinical symptoms that weaken the body’s immune system, making it unable to protect the body from infections.

AIDS is first caused by HIV, or Human Immunodeficiency Virus, which is transferred between humans.

HIV is transmitted when infected bodily fluids enter another person’s bloodstream, most commonly through unprotected intercourse, the sharing of used syringes, or from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding.

On its website, the Israel AIDS Task Force states that there is no chance........

© The Times of Israel