HIV case has 'created stigma' for those infected

Publicity given to the man charged with intentionally infecting people with HIV has created a stigma for those living responsibly with the virus.

The Aids Foundation says there has been a significant rise in demand for testing and counselling since name suppression was lifted on 40-year-old train driver Glenn Richard Albert Mills two weeks ago.

But media attention had also been counter-productive, said national communications co-ordinator Dawn O'Connor.

"While people in New Zealand are aware of the need to get tested the media interest has created a stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV," she said yesterday.

Mills appeared in the Auckland District Court yesterday on 14 charges relating to intentionally infecting seven people with the virus, and was remanded in custody. Judge Eddie Paul set a pre-depositions hearing for the end of the month.

The NZAF would not say how many tests it had carried out, "out of respect for its clients and their right to confidentiality", but confirmed a marked increase in demand for HIV testing and counselling compared with this time last year.

Police expect to lay more charges, following a number of complaints since the release of Mills' name two weeks ago. Dozens have been tested for the virus since his identity was revealed, all returning negative results.

HIV support group Body Positive said 25 to 30 people had now been tested. Craig Webster, a social worker for the agency, said calls continued to come in from all over the country, averaging five to 10 per day. Police will not comment on the case as it is before the courts, but said previously that Mills was diagnosed HIV-positive in May 2007 and had led an active sexual life in Auckland and Wellington.

It is understood Mills is registered on the nzdating.com and findsomeone.com dating sites and on the telephone chatline Hot Gossip. He is believed to use several aliases.

Health authorities knew up to six months ago of allegations that Mills had infected sexual partners with HIV but did not report it to the police until a few days before the story broke on the gaynz.com website.

Public Health Act confidentiality rules prevent health professionals disclosing that someone is HIV-positive as it is not a notifiable disease. But a spokeswoman for Associate Health Minister Tariana Turia has said this could change under proposed amendments to the act.