AIDS

Children born from mothers living with HIV are monitored by the seven Belgian AIDS Reference Laboratories, from birth to 18 months of age, to confirm or exclude HIV infection. Since 2015, viro-immunological data on those newborns are reported in the Belgian HIV Viral Load Surveillance and since 2018 in a specific register for newborns. This allows the monitoring of mother-to-child transmission in Belgium.

The Belgian HIV Cohort was initiated in 2006 to obtain a more comprehensive picture of the HIV epidemic in Belgium (including information on the outcomes of the patients in addition to the register of new HIV cases). It consists of a prospective multicenter data collection of all twelve HIV Reference Centers (HRC) in Belgium. The aim of this cohort is to acquire and share information on the characteristics of the HIV population under medical follow-up and the evolution of these characteristics.

Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is a short-term antiretroviral treatment to reduce the risk of HIV infection in a person who may have been exposed to HIV. PEP can be prescribed in cases of occupational exposure (prick accident), as well as in cases of exposure through unprotected sex or sharing needles (injecting drug users). PEP can be obtained in a hospital with an HIV Reference Centre. The PEP surveillance is based on the registration by HIV Reference Centres of the PEP treatments eligible for reimbursement.

Monitoring of HIV viral load is performed by the seven Belgian AIDS Reference Laboratories (ARL). Since 2006 they report the viral load of all people living with HIV in Belgium in a national registry. The purpose of the data processing and analysis is to describe the evolution of the epidemic of HIV and AIDS in Belgium. The data allows to describe the epidemiological profile of patients over time and the risks associated with the infection. The publication of statistical results contribute significantly to decision making and development of prevention campaigns.

Since the outbreak of the HIV epidemic in Belgium, the profile of this epidemic has undergone many changes. It is widely accepted that interventions aimed at controlling the epidemic have to be based on data and focused on the national and local epidemiology. Therefore, an HIV diagnosis surveillance is an important instrument. New HIV diagnoses are reported by the AIDS Reference Laboratories (ARLs). Following the Royal Decree regarding the determination of the criteria for the recognition of HIV/aids reference laboratories (dd.