Fifteen drug users infected with HIV

The HSE has issued a fresh alert after it received an analysis of tests conducted on injecting drug users in Dublin city. It said the evidence showed that an increase in new HIV cases among people who inject drugs (PWID) has been occurring since June 2014.

“Fifteen confirmed and one probable case of recently-acquired HIV infection have been diagnosed in PWID in Dublin from June 2014 to June 2015,” the HSE alert said. “A further 16 possible cases in PWID are currently under investigation and new cases continue to be detected.”

The alert, seen by the Irish Examiner, said that, of the 16 confirmed and probable cases, 11 are male and five are female, ranging in age from 24 to 51.

The upsurge has sparked concern among clinicians and addiction organisations regarding a possible link between homeless drug users and the injection of mephedrone, the former headshop drug known as ‘snow blow’.

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