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The annual surveillance report on blood borne viral (BBV) and sexually transmissible infections (STI) among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia highlights both successes and challenges in prevention and control. The introduction of the HPV vaccination program has led to a significant decline in genital warts diagnoses among young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and men. Low numbers of hepatitis B notifications also indicate the success of vaccination programs. However, rates of chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and syphilis remain high or continue to increase, particularly in regional and remote settings. The report emphasizes the need for ongoing public health efforts to sustain low rates of HIV and address the complex factors contributing to STI cases. [Extracted from the article]

In 2020, 44% of new HIV diagnoses in Australia wereclassified as late diagnoses, up from 32% in 2016.Looking in more detail, the data show that among peopleborn overseas diagnosed with HIV in 2020, 52% werediagnosed late, compared to 37% among people born inAustralia. A late diagnosis of HIV has important individual andpublic health implications. Late HIV diagnoses arecharacterized by a CD4+ t-cell count of 350 cells or lessper cubic millimeter of blood at diagnosis (CD4+ t-cellsare immune system cells that are attacked by HIV). [Extracted from the article]