Number of New South Dakota HIV/AIDS Cases in 2002 Could Be Lower Than in 2001
The South Dakota Department of Health recorded 15 new cases of HIV/AIDS in the first six months of this year compared to 10 over the same time period last year, according to statistics released recently by the state agency. However, no new cases have been reported since June 30, meaning that the state could end the year with fewer new HIV/AIDS cases than in 2001, the Aberdeen American News reports. South Dakota recorded 22 new cases last year. Dr. Lon Kightlinger, the state's epidemiologist, said that he has noted in recent years that women are representing a growing number of the state's HIV/AIDS cases. "That should tell people that this is not a gay disease. AIDS is something that's in the heterosexual community and affects everyone," he said. Other findings from the report are listed below:
- Of the 15 new cases reported thus far this year, 12 occurred in men and three occurred in women;
- Since 1985, 412 cases of HIV/AIDS have been reported in South Dakota, giving the state a rate of 2.9 cases per 100,000 residents, the sixth-lowest rate in the nation;
- Of the 412 cases, 167 occurred in people between the ages of 30 and 39, and 134 occurred in people between the ages of 20 and 29; 74% of people with reported cases of HIV/AIDS were white, while 14% were Native American, 9% were African-American and 3% were Hispanic;
- Nearly 200 of the 412 infections resulted from men having sex with men, while 58 people acquired HIV through injection drug use;
- Of the 412 people diagnosed with HIV since 1985, 194 have been diagnosed with AIDS and 99 of those people have died;
- No syphilis infections have been reported thus far in 2002, compared to one case last year;
- Approximately 125 cases of gonorrhea were reported in the first six months of this year, compared to a total of almost 300 last year (Keen, Aberdeen American News, 9/21).