Last year's alarming rise in new HIV cases is continuing, show the latest figures released by the AIDS Epidemiology Group in Dunedin. A total of 39 people were newly diagnosed with HIV in the first three months of this year, the majority being men who have sex with men. Dr Nigel Dickson says New Zealand already is dealing with an HIV epidemic amongst its gay community and whether it spreads is dependent on how much safe sex is being practiced. "There will always be cases of HIV coming in but whether it spreads through the population will depend on our behaviour," he says. "The numbers are a reminder for people that the risk, if anything, is increasing." Figures presented by the AIDS Foundation at its first HIV/AIDS community forum in Auckland last night showed that there was no evidence that unsafe sex was increasing amongst MSM, despite the jump in infections. The average age of infected persons was 39, surprising those who believed the surge in new infections was the fault of irresponsible youth.