Today, Hong Kong's Department of Health said the territory recorded 268 new HIV cases last year, a 17 percent increase from 2003. The 2004 cases represent the highest annual total on record in Hong Kong, the department said. Sixty-four percent of the newly reported cases were sexually transmitted; infection through injection drug use increased to 21 cases in 2004, up from 11 in 2003 and 10 in 2002. Six of last year's new HIV cases were pregnant women. At least 3,000 of Hong Kong's 7 million residents are believed to have HIV or AIDS. The Department of Health said the number of reported AIDS cases dropped to 49 in 2004 from 56 in 2003, the lowest figures since antiretroviral treatment became available in 1996.

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