Reported cases of AIDS and HIV have dropped dramatically in Bermuda, according to recently-released statistics from the Health Department.

But nurse epidemiologist Rhonda Daniels told The Royal Gazette the decline did not mean that the number of people with the deadly virus was decreasing.

"Many Bermudians travel abroad for testing,'' Ms Daniels said. "People are also choosing not to be tested. We are at a complacent stage on our Island right now.'' Last year there were 48 reported cases of AIDS. This year, as of the end of May, only nine cases have been reported.

Reported cases of HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) numbered 26 last year compared to only five cases brought to the attention of the Health Department so far this year.

Although intravenous drug users count highest in the total number of HIV cases, the numbers have steadily declined from 29 cases in 1985 -- when the first cases appeared in Bermuda -- to four new cases in 1995.

Numbers in the homosexual/bisexual category for infection have held steady as have the numbers for infections among heterosexuals.

To date Bermuda has recorded 348 AIDS cases, with 83 percent of those people succumbing to the disease.

The majority of people with AIDS fell into the 30-to-39 age group and most, 72.9 percent, contracted the virus through homosexual activity or intravenous drug use.

The heterosexual risk factor has grown from two reported cases in 1986 to 16 new reported cases in 1995, and amount to 21.6 percent of all AIDS cases recorded to date.

(For full report, see Page 13)