HIV case sparks deluge of calls

Three more people have been tested for the HIV virus and another 10 are booked in for tests after reporting sexual contact with the man charged with intentionally infecting people.

Last week, name suppression was lifted from train driver Glenn Richard Albert Mills, 40, who is facing criminal charges in the Auckland District Court in relation to seven alleged victims, six men and a woman.

Five of the men have since tested positive for the virus.

The three latest test results produced negative results and HIV support group Body Positive is optimistic the remaining 10 will follow suit.

Since the name suppression was lifted Body Positive has been innundated with calls from anxious people who had sexual contact with Mills over the past 10 years.

The group's chief executive, Bruce Kilmister, said some of the were from people reporting sexual contact from a fair number of years ago but every report was taken seriously.

"Some of their sexual connection was so long back there's no cause for concern but we are making tests available for anyone who wants one."

Mr Kilmister said people were surprised to learn the man's identity.

"So of course they have been fairly anxious but we are working through it fairly satisfactorily."

Inquiry head Detective Sergeant Andy King would not comment on the matter as it is before the courts.

However police have previously said that Mills was diagnosed HIV-positive in May 2007 and had led an active sexual life in Auckland and Wellington.

The Herald understands he is registered on dating websites such as nzdating.com and findsomeone.com and phone chat line Hot Gossip, describing himself as "heterosexual seeking women".

Under current law, Public Health Act confidentiality rules prevent health professionals from disclosing that someone is HIV-positive. However, a spokesperson for Associate Health Minister Tariana Turia said last week this could change under proposed amendments to the act.