Baku – September 2025
Social media discussions in Azerbaijan have recently raised concerns about an alleged surge in HIV/AIDS and syphilis cases. Official statistics confirm a gradual increase in reported infections, though health authorities stress that the country remains among the lowest in the region for HIV prevalence.
Syphilis Cases on the Rise
According to the State Statistics Committee, between January and July 2025, 816 new syphilis cases were registered nationwide — 492 men and 324 women. Of these, 24 were under 18 years old.
The annual totals show a steady increase: 886 cases in 2023, rising to 1,152 in 2024.
HIV/AIDS Statistics
The Republican AIDS Center reports that since the first HIV case was detected in Azerbaijan in 1987, a total of 11,144 citizens have been registered as living with HIV as of September 1, 2025. Men make up 69.8% of cases, women 30.2%.
Yearly figures show growth as well: 10,692 cases in 2023, climbing to 11,844 in 2024.
No Epidemic Risk, Say Authorities
Despite the upward trend, the AIDS Center emphasized that Azerbaijan has the lowest HIV prevalence rate in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Officials attribute this to targeted prevention programs, including efforts to block mother-to-child transmission.
In fact, for the past five years, no cases of HIV transmission from HIV-positive mothers on antiretroviral therapy to their newborns have been recorded. Newborns receive 28 days of preventive treatment provided by the Center.
