Despite current media reports about CDC’s estimates of new HIV infections in the USA, Dr. Kevin Fenton, Director, , National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) stresses the new estimates are not yet final.

Dr. Fenton said “In recent years, CDC has worked to develop an innovative system designed to estimate the number of new HIV infections in a given year. As a result of new technology that can distinguish recent from longstanding infections, the new system will provide the clearest picture to date of new HIV infections in the United States. Given the importance of the new estimates in guiding HIV prevention policy and programs, CDC’s public health responsibility is to ensure accurate information. The estimates have been submitted for further analysis and rigorous scientific review to ensure the accuracy of the complex new methods and of the estimates themselves.”

Fenton went on the explain that the new estimates use complex methods based on several statistical assumptions. Any kind of alteration to those assumptions during the scientific review process will have an impact on the final estimates. “It would not be responsible for CDC to discuss specific data before we are certain that the new estimates are reliable.”

The CDC takes seriously its commitment to providing an accurate and timely picture of the HIV epidemic at home (in the USA), he added. Fenton said the CDC is moving as quickly as possible to complete, confirm, and release these important new estimates.

The new estimates are expected to be released at the beginning of next year, Fenton said.