Reuters has reported that 86 new HIV cases have been identified and registered in Afghanistan over the past five months, bringing the total number of registered cases since March 2025 to at least 286.
According to Reuters, Afghan health officials say HIV-related stigma and a shortage of treatment centers remain major challenges in identifying and treating people living with the virus in the country.
The report says the new HIV cases were identified over the past five months. Reuters also published images of patients receiving medical services at the Afghan-Japan Hospital in Kabul.
The 2026 report by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) also lists Afghanistan among the countries where the number of new HIV infections has increased.
HIV, or human immunodeficiency virus, attacks the body’s immune system and, if left untreated, can lead to AIDS. The virus can be transmitted through unprotected sex, sharing contaminated injection equipment, infected blood, and mother-to-child transmission.
Health experts emphasize that early diagnosis and regular use of antiretroviral medications can help people living with HIV lead long and healthy lives and can significantly reduce the risk of transmitting the virus to others.
Source: Reuters and the 2026 UNAIDS report.
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