Scientists from the National Center in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research drew their conclusions from statistics pointing to a rise in unprotected sex, coupled with the increase in the number of sexually-transmitted disease infections among homosexual men. The data was gathered from research beginning in 1999.
"While the raw numbers are not as large as they were at the peak of the HIV/AIDS crisis in 1988, this is a worrying trend," said lead investigator David Wilson.
The numbers gathered by the experts led them to predict a 73 percent rise in the infection in Victoria, and 20 percent in Queensland, all by the year 2015. The decline in the condom use practiced in some states are what experts believe is responsible for the difference in geographical statistics.
The increase in STIs was also identified as contributory to the spread of HIV, as it is known to raise the chances of a person's susceptibility to the virus.
News.com.au reported that according to Dr. Wilson, "if an HIV positive person has an STI, it is two to five times more likely that they will transmit the virus."
Wilson's team concluded that the findings should encourage an increase in the awareness of the situation, and for health precautions to be taken into consideration.
"Heightened surveillance and targeting of other STIs could also be important and warrants serious consideration," said Wilson.
"We can actually mitigate the HIV epidemic, and these results from this study provide good impedance for taking these measures," he continued, as quoted on Live News.
Australia has experienced a see-saw infection rate, with a 30 percent drop in the 1990s, only to be followed by an increase between 2000 and 2006.
