HIV Diagnosesโ Surge, โRaising Concerns of Complacency in Italy
Rome, Italy – November 9, 2025 – New data released today reveals a concerning rise in HIV diagnoses across Italy, prompting health officialsโข to warn against lowering vigilance in the face of what has become a “forgotten” public health threat. The National Institute of Health (ISS) reported a 15% increase in newly diagnosed HIV cases in โthe frist nine months of 2025 compared to the same period last year,โ reversing a trend of relative stability observed inโ recent years.
This resurgence, particularly amongโข young adults agedโ 25-34, underscores the critical needโ for renewed prevention efforts, increased testing accessibility, and sustained public awareness campaigns. Experts attributeโ the increase to a combination ofโข factors, including reduced condom use, delayed testing due to the COVID-19 pandemic disruptingโ healthcare services, and aโฃ waning sense of urgency surrounding HIV prevention โas advancements in treatment have led to the perception of the virus as a manageable chronic condition. The ISS dataโค indicates a notable proportion of those newly diagnosedโค were unaware of their HIV status for extended periods, leading to potential onward transmissionโ and delayed access โto life-saving antiretroviral therapy.
The last comprehensive national strategyโฃ for HIV โฃprevention expired in 2022, โand a new plan has faced delays in โimplementation. “We are witnessing a dangerous complacency,” stated dr.Maria Rossi, headโ of the ISS’s infectious diseases department, in a press conference. “The success ofโค treatment must not overshadow the importance of prevention. We must โre-emphasize safe sex practices, promote regular testing, and ensure access to PrEP [pre-exposure prophylaxis] for those at risk.”
Italy first โฃbegan widespread HIV testing in the 1980s, responding to a rapidly escalating epidemic. While significant progress has been made in reducing transmission rates and improving the โquality of life for people living with HIV, the current increase signals a potential setback. Antiretroviralโ therapy (ART) now allows individuals with HIV to live long and healthy lives and prevents โขtransmission โto others, but early diagnosisโค remains crucialโฃ for both individual health and public health control. โ The ISSโค is urging regional health authorities toโค bolster testing capacity โand implement targeted preventionโค programs for high-risk populations. Further analysis of the data is underway to identify specific geographicโข areas and demographic groups most affected by the recent surge.
