Although new HIV infections among heterosexuals decreased last year in Switzerland, rates among gay men continue to cause concern, says the Federal Health Office.

It reported on Monday 735 documented cases for 2007, down from 761 the previous year, adding however that late cases would mean the high level in 2006 would be reached.

Heterosexual cases, which made up only 14 per cent of diagnoses, continued to drop. New infections involving women fell from 80 in 2002 to 40 in 2007 and involving men from 100 in 2004 to 60 last year.

The rate of infection among homosexual males however has almost doubled over the past four years, according to authorities. Last year, 302 new cases were reported compared with 160 in 2003.

The office also revealed that after years of continuous decline, new infections among injection drug users rose slightly to 61, up from 56 in 2006.

The organisation Aids Help Switzerland has announced it would begin an education campaign for HIV-positive gay men this month.

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