Maine HIV Rate Drops, but Counselors Still Busy

Maine's annual rate of HIV-positive cases as 2001 ended was well below the comparable rate of a decade ago. During the past 10 years, the reported number of cases has dropped from 122 a year to an expected 38 to 40 in 2001. "There are also many fewer deaths occurring. This is largely due to effective medical treatments for HIV disease," said Mark Griswold, director of the bureau's HIV and STD program.

But outreach workers aren't giving up the fight against HIV. They are still trying to raise awareness of the disease while offering prevention programs for people at risk. Half of the new HIV cases in Maine result from male-to-male transmission, one-quarter are from drug use and one-quarter are heterosexual, Griswold said. During the past five years, the number of reportable HIV-positive cases in Maine has stabilized, with annual totals of 48, 32, 45, 51 and 38 through Dec. 20, 2001. The state Bureau of Health estimates 1,200 people are living with HIV in Maine.

Back to other CDC news for December 31, 2001

Previous Updates