Numbers of HIV positive people in East Lancashire and the North-West overall continue to rise, according to new figures, but the rate of increase is slowing down.

In East Lancashire in 2007, there were 13 new diagnoses of HIV, with most of the infections transmitted through heterosexual and homosexual sex. One case was transmitted from mother to child and one was undetermined.

The figures come from East Lancashire Primary Care Trust, which oversees health in the area, including Burnley and Padiham.

In the North-West, the total number of HIV positive people accessing treatment and care in 2007 reached the highest level ever at 5,212, a 9% increase on 2006, but there was a 10% decrease in the number of new HIV cases reported.

The statistics were put together by the Centre for Public Health, at Liverpool John Moores University, and the Health Protection Agency North West.

Professor Qutub Syed, director at the HPA North West, said: "In some senses, this is a very encouraging report. It's good there has been a 10% reduction in new cases and this may mean people are heeding the safer sex message and taking greater care to protect themselves and their partners.

"Lessons remain to be learned, though. The majority of new HIV cases in 2007 were acquired through heterosexual sex and 41% of new cases were contracted abroad. HIV infection is much more prevalent overseas than it is here in the UK and travellers to high risk countries, indeed to any overseas countries, need to exercise the same level of caution and concern for their sexual welfare as they do when they are at home."