HIV cases in Colchester have risen 51 per cent in two years.
While cases in Tendring and mid-Essex have gone up by 16 per cent, the Essex average, the leap in the Colchester numbers is causing concern.
Sue Felgate, sexual health co-ordinator for Colchester and Tendring Primary Care Trusts (PCTs), said: "Colchester is what we call a transient area.
"It has many people living here for short periods of time - at the university and Colchester Garrison.
"New housing also makes it an expanding town. That means the population is increasing which, of course, would affect the figures."
But Ms Felgate stressed this "did not lessen" the problem.
"There isn't only an increase in HIV cases," she said.
"All sexually-transmitted infections are showing an increase, especially cases of chlamydia, a bacteria which can affect fertility in both men and women."
More in today's Evening Gazette
Published Thursday, December 1, 2005
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