By Joshua Haigh

The number of people diagnosed with HIV in the UK has dropped substantially since 2012, according to figures released by Public Health England. Gay and bisexual men have experienced the most dramatic decline in new infections, with rates falling by 71%*. It has been attributed to a rise in the use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (Prep). Campaigners are urging the government to make Prep, which is almost 100% effective at preventing transmission, more widely available.

Of the estimated 103,800 people living with HIV in the UK in 2018, 93% have been diagnosed with the virus. Of these, 97% are receiving treatment. And of these, 97% are, as a result, undetectable, meaning they cannot transmit the virus. Among gay and bisexual men, transmissions of HIV have dropped from 2,800 in 2012 to 800 in 2018.

HIV testing has greatly increased over the past decade. And the number of men who have sex with men living undiagnosed with HIV has halved between 2014 and 2018, to 3,600.

Phil Samba, of advocacy group Prepster, told BBC News that while the new data was incredibly promising, the lack of commitment from the government to making Prep widely available in England remained troubling.

"The figures show the impact that Prep, combined with increases in HIV testing and rapid access to HIV treatments can have. We truly are living in a new era of HIV prevention. Yet, Prep is still not freely available on the NHS in England and unnecessary HIV infections are happening because of foot-dragging by politicians. Today, we make a clear call to Matt Hancock and his colleagues, 'Get a grip and fund a full Prep service now.'" Read more via BBC