Most HIV Cases Recorded in Shirak Province
As of October 31 of the current year, 462 new cases of HIV infection have been registered in Armenia. Over the past two years, an annual average of 500-530 new HIV cases has been recorded. The highest number of cases has been detected in Shirak Province. Among foreign nationals, 438 cases of the disease have been documented. Statistics show that approximately 48% of those infected are men aged 25-39.
Labor migrants are among the primary groups affected by HIV. They make up nearly half of the cases, according to statistical data.
This figure is higher than in previous years. It indicates a trend of increasing newly registered cases. At first glance, it may seem that the disease is spreading more widely; however, it can also be attributed to a rise in the number of people getting tested. Recently, awareness and prevention campaigns have intensified, encouraging more citizens to undergo testing.
Vardan Arzakanyan, head of the Epidemiological Monitoring and Consultation Department at the National Center for Infectious Diseases, noted that early detection of the disease enables timely intervention and improves the quality of life for patients. Therefore, regular testing is crucial. In Armenia, all HIV-related services—from diagnosis to treatment—are provided free of charge to both Armenian citizens and foreigners.
The first HIV case in Armenia was recorded in 1988. December 1 marks World AIDS Day. And as part of the event, a mobile testing center will operate in Gyumri on November 30 and in Yerevan on December 1. To date, 6,076 cases of HIV infection have been registered among Armenian citizens.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the highest number of HIV infections is recorded in South Africa, where approximately 20% of the population is infected.