A cluster of 14 cases of HIV was detected in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, mainly in Savoie, between April and November 2024.
Between April and November 2024, a cluster of 14 cases of HIV contamination was identified in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, mainly in Savoie, according to the infectious disease services of hospital centers in the region. A common virus strain was detected, indicating a shared origin, likely linked to one or more infected individuals. Investigations by the Regional Health Agency (ARS) confirmed that some cases were interconnected, emphasizing that transmission mainly occurred through unprotected heterosexual relations, reports Lyon Tribune.
A growing concern for health authorities
“A grouping of this type is rare enough to alert us“, explains Dr Bruno Morel, responsible at the management”health monitoring and alerts” of the ARS. This situation illustrates both an increase in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and a relaxation of prevention measures. Since 2021, a constant increase in new HIV contaminations has been observed in the region. The ARS, in collaboration with grassroots associations, has strengthened its awareness-raising actions, emphasizing the importance of condoms and screening, particularly for people with multiple partners.
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The condom remains at the heart of prevention, although it is used less and less. “In the 1990s, distribution and promotion were everywhere, even in schools. Today, these practices are becoming rarer. If the people involved in this cluster had used condoms, the spread would have been avoided“, confided a Savoyard virologist to Figaro.
Easier access to screening and new prevention tools
Faced with this situation, the ARS recalls that screening is today more accessible than ever. Since September 1, 2024, anyone can request a screening test for HIV or four other STIs directly in a medical biology laboratory, without a prescription or appointment. This measure aims to encourage more people to get tested after a risky situation, such as unprotected sex or pregnancy.
Furthermore, last summer, the High Authority for Health (HAS) approved the reimbursement of injectable Prep, a preventive antiviral used “before taking a risk“, particularly for audiences participating in practices such as chemsex.
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