HIV cases hit record high as epidemic sweeps Europe

Around 80% of new infections were in Eastern European countries

HIV red ribbon
The red ribbon is the universal symbol of awareness and support for people living with HIV
(Image credit: China Photos/Getty Images)

The HIV epidemic in Europe is growing “at an alarming pace”, with 160,000 newly diagnosed cases in 2016 - the highest number on record, according to a new report by the World Health Organization.

The agency says that 80% of those cases occurred in Eastern Europe, Reuters reports. The WHO European Region comprises 53 countries, with a total population of almost 900 million.

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