Russia: HIV spreads beyond risk groups in 27 regions, epidemiologists say

In 27 regions across Russia, a generalized HIV epidemic is spreading, according to the Central Research Institute of Epidemiology of Rospotrebnadzor. This term is used to describe the stage when the human immunodeficiency virus spreads throughout the general population instead of only among risk groups. In these regions, HIV diagnoses exceed 1% among pregnant women. Kemerovo, Irkutsk, and Sverdlovsk regions experience the most severe situation.

Although Russia detected 45,000 new HIV cases in 2025, which is 13.4% lower than in 2024, 2025 saw the highest number of HIV and hepatitis infections in medical institutions in the past 15 years, according to Medvestnik statistics. Clusters of viral hepatitis C and mixed HIV plus hepatitis infections are the most prevalent in healthcare facilities. Eight infection clusters were recorded in 2025, infecting 104 patients.

Experts believe that systemic and gross violations of sanitary and epidemiological rules, such as reusing single-use medical equipment on multiple patients, are the primary cause of these infections. Testing for RNA among various patient categories is also insufficient, including dialysis, hematological, transplant patients, hepatitis cluster contacts, children born to HIV-positive mothers, and immunocompromised individuals.

Additionally, two cases of HIV infection via transfused blood components were identified in 2026, marking the first occurrence in six years.

Despite a decline in HIV incidence and mortality in recent years, the number of people living with HIV continues to increase. For every death, there are 1.5 new infections, meaning the number of people living with HIV constantly grows. Russia has one of the highest HIV incidence rates per 100,000 population, alongside Ukraine and North Macedonia. If current prevention and treatment approaches persist, Russia could see 1.47 million people living with HIV by 2030, according to Rospotrebnadzor's mathematical model.