HIV in Jersey

HIV/AIDS is one of the most serious social, economic and health challenges of our time. Every country in the world is affected, including our own small island.

At the present time Jersey has no surveillance programme to map the spread of the virus in the island. In particular, there is no way of determining the rate of undiagnosed HIV in Jersey or the numbers who travel to the UK for HIV testing and treatment.

However, we do know the rate of new HIV diagnoses in Jersey has doubled over in recent years, and is now running at around 12 new cases a year; an average of one person every month. HIV is being transmitted through unprotected sex and intravenous drug use and affects men and women of all ages.

In the mid 1990s more than 90% of new cases of HIV in Jersey were transmitted through intravenous drug use and by MSM (men who have sex with men). In more recent years this picture has undergone a dramatic shift with 70% of HIV diagnoses now being attributed to heterosexual transmission.

50% of people living with HIV in Jersey are known to have acquired the virus either locally or in the UK. 30% of patients acquired HIV in Western Europe and the remaining 20% in Thailand, which continues to be a popular destination for ’sex-tourism.’

The deterioration of sexual health across Great Britain, the increasing numbers of people who travel for work or pleasure, the arrival of migrant workers from countries with higher levels of HIV infection and a well documented drug problem, are all factors which increase the local risk of HIV infection and make prevention programmes a priority for Jersey.

ACET Jersey is a specialist HIV/AIDS agency providing confidential psychosocial support for people living with HIV in Jersey; HIV prevention programmes for all sectors of the community; HIV training programmes for professionals, employers and staff; and initiatives to challenge HIV-related stigma and discrimination across the community.

Our Island Our Health, Annual Report of the Medical Officer of Health, 2006

Last updated April 2010