CDC: DC Has Epidemic Rates of HIV/AIDS

WASHINGTON (MyFOX ATLANTA) - A report released Monday says the HIV/AIDS rate in Washington, D.C. is higher than rates in West Africa. The number of infections prompted the Centers for Disease Control to classify the cases as an epidemic.

The nation's capitol has a sobering number of residents who are HIV positive or have full-blown AIDS.

The CDC calls an epidemic anything that affects more than one percent of the population and Washington's rate is three times that.

"The fact that three percent of our adult and adolescent population in the district has already been counted, has already been diagnosed and is alive with HIV and AIDS, that's a dramatic, dramatic health statistic," said Shannon Hader.

"I think it's important that we as leaders, and we as a community speak very candidly about the seriousness of HIV and AIDS in Washington D.C," said Major Adrian Fenty.

The rate of new cases of HIV/AIDS in the Washington, D.C. has risen 22 percent in just three years. The disease has impacted every race, and both men and women citywide. The highest rates of infection have been found among those aged 40 to 49. Among black men, a staggering seven percent in the Washington, D.C. area have reported infections.

"When you're talking about an epidemic and then you're talking about why we have an epidemic, nearly half of the people who consider themselves in a committed relationship, believing that their last sexual partner was having sex outside of the relationship. I think you all see at least one of the reasons why the city is experiencing such a problem," said Fenty.

D.C. health officials acknowledged that the actual numbers for HIV/AIDS infections could be even worse because not everyone knows their status. Health officials urged Washington, D.C. residents with any questions to get tested.