In 2024, 39 new HIV cases were recorded in the Grand Duchy, slightly fewer than the 53 cases the year before. Overall, the trend points to a slight, gradual decrease of cases, according to the Red Cross’ head of HIV counselling, Laurence Mortier. She mainly attributes this decrease to the post-Covid period when people weren’t getting tested as they had before: in 2022, for instance, there were over 60 new diagnoses.
That said, around 60 people are likely living with the virus without being aware of it, Mortier notes, so the role of protection remains vital despite a decrease in infections. Next to condoms, regular testing plays a key role. “Screening tests truly are the most important tool after condoms, as they are the only way to know whether you are infected and therefore the only way to gain access to treatment.” By that logic, it also acts as a means of prevention: “A person who is HIV positive and takes their treatment properly will become what we call undetectable. That means their viral load will be so low that they can no longer transmit the virus, thereby closing the loop.”
All year round, the Red Cross visits secondary schools and youth centres across Luxembourg to raise awareness. “We also visit adult training courses, in general we go anywhere we’re invited.”
For World AIDS Day in particular, the HIV counselling service has put together a full programme to remind people that HIV remains a reality, even in the Grand Duchy, and that can be fatal when unnoticed and untreated. This includes a special testing campaign: “Anyone can come for a free, anonymous rapid test. It takes about ten minutes, during which we can talk a bit and do some prevention work.”
On Monday, the HIV counselling service will also be handing out free condoms in Luxembourg City and will be there to answer people’s questions.
