HIV on the rise: 10 new cases in five months

In the first five months of 2025 in Kosovo, at least ten new cases of HIV infection have been recorded, according to doctors, confirming the disturbing trend of growth.

Last year, 34 identified cases were closed, unlike 2023 to 20.

Recent figures are of the Kosovo National Public Health Institute, where all health institutions, whether public or private, are obliged to report cases.
Infectologists say that the number of cases of HIV virus damaging the affected person's immune system and can be transmitted to the other through exchange of body fluids is alarming, writes REL, broadcast Periscope.

There's not enough youth information about how this infection is carried. Perhaps there is no information about where to should be tested and where” can be tested, says Murat Mehmeti, chief of the Department of Sexual Transmitting Diseases at the Infectious Clinic in Pristina.

The previous “We had 29 new cases [infective] ] much higher than in 2023”, Mehmet says, adding that many cases are not even reported and identified because of prejudice.

This week, when the team REL was in the Infective, where two people were lying in severe condition.

According to Mehmet, about 100 infected persons are currently receiving services and therapies at this clinic.

Testing and therapy there, as well as in other Kosovo public institutions, are offered for free.
In the IKSHPK confirm to Radio Free Europe that “even the possibility of anonymous and free testing”.

Officials at this institute say that numerous campaigns have been made to increase awareness of this virus, especially with new generations in schools.

This is also true of the fact that the age of the affected is handled mainly by 20 years of age and older.

Edona Dobroshi-Deva, manager of the Global Programme for HIV in Kosovo, tells Radio Free Europe that increasing the number of cases with this virus could have occurred for two reasons: the first, awareness of people to try and, second, exposure to the virus symptoms, as the person may have been infected years ago.

All evidence in Kosovo shows that young people start sex at an early age. So I think education should start as early as”, says Dobroshi-Deva for Radio Free Europe.

The Kosovo Health Ministry did not respond to Radio Europe Free for Commenting on the subject.

But on this ministry's website, it finds a strategic document and action plan for controlling certain diseases, including HIV.

The ministry says it aims to use it as a key instrument for “effective implementation of prevention policies, care and treatment of these” infections.

The first HIV case in Kosovo was presented in 1986. Since then, over 50 people have lost their lives.

“Living with HIV for more than 20 years”

Imer, a pensioner from Kosovo who has been living with HIV for more than 20 years, tells Radio Free Europe that the moment he learned he was infected has been a huge shock to him.

He does not know exactly how he contracted the virus, but he doubts that he may have been infected when he tattooed abroad.

That same day, we've been using that needle for some”, says Imer.

Since then, his life has changed dramatically.

He lives almost alone and often visits the Infectious Clinic in Pristina for therapy.

He says that, because of difficult economic conditions, “he eats bread only when he's in hospital”. /Periscope