Lagos State Government has dismissed reports suggesting the state recorded a surge in HIV infections, clarifying that widely circulated figures refer to newly diagnosed cases—not new infections.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA), Dr. Folakemi Animashaun, said the reported 10,430 cases reflect people diagnosed in 2025, including referrals and individuals who may have contracted HIV years earlier but were only recently tested.
She added that Lagos’ HIV positivity rate dropped from 2.4% in 2025 to 1.9% in the first quarter of 2026, while 97% of people receiving antiretroviral treatment have achieved viral suppression.
The state urged residents not to panic, encouraging regular HIV testing, reliance on verified public health information, and rejection of stigma against people living with HIV.