Campaigners push for greater access to preventative drug PrEP
There was a rise in first-time HIV diagnoses in this country in 2024 compared with 2023. Photo: Getty
Ireland had the second-highest rate of HIV diagnoses in the EU last year, with four in 10 people here with the virus only finding out they had it at a late stage of the illness, new figures show.
There was a rise in first-time HIV diagnoses in this country last year compared with 2023, and levels are similar to those seen pre-pandemic – but there is a lengthy waiting list for people who want to take PrEP medication which greatly reduces the chance of contracting the virus.