Kurdistan Region records 87 new HIV cases in 2025, health ministry says

ERBIL — The Kurdistan Regional Government’s Ministry of Health said 87 new HIV cases were recorded in the region during the first 11 months of 2025.

In a statement, the ministry said 64 of the new cases involve “foreign residents and individuals from outside the region,” while 23 cases are among Kurdistan Region residents.

The ministry said the total number of people living with HIV in the Kurdistan Region, including cases from previous years, has reached 150. It noted that all are receiving medical supervision, care and treatment.

Health authorities said roughly 609,306 laboratory blood tests for HIV detection were carried out during the same 11 month period.

Today is World AIDS Day and the theme for 2025 is “Ending Inequities, Transforming AIDS Response.” The World Health Organization reported that about 40.8 million people worldwide were living with HIV in 2024 and roughly 630,000 people died due to the virus.

There is no cure for AIDS. However, effective antiviral therapies can control HIV, reduce the amount of virus in the body and allow infected individuals to live a normal life if they adhere to treatment.