One more person has been diagnosed with HIV since an Aids walk held just one month ago to raise awareness about the disease.

Caroline Armstrong, the Director of Supportive Therapy for AIDS Persons and their Relatives (STAR), hosted the second annual AIDS walk Bermuda on May 18.

At the walk, it was revealed that 10 new cases of HIV had been diagnosed in the first five months of this year while there were 17 for 2007.

Now with the news of one more person discovering they have the disease, Mrs. Armstrong says the Island needs to wake-up and realise it's no little thing.

"When we look at the manner of transmission it's sexual, but because we don't see such gruesome suffering in that sort of thing people take this lightly.

"I believe Bermuda is in danger. People think they are invincible. They think 'not me, not my family' until it hits their doorstop. We have all been affected by it."

The 11 cases this year bring the total diagnosed on the Island to 690 since the numbers began to be recorded in 1982.

Testing became available on the Island in 1985 and mandatory testing of pregnant mothers was put in place in 1988 while doctors have to report any HIV cases.

The numbers also include a further 420 deaths from the disease, however Mrs. Armstrong believes the numbers could only get worse due to the lack of acceptance of the issue on the Island.

Clients of STAR and Lighthouse can find themselves ostracised or belittled for having the disease, which leaves them scared to speak-out, according to Mrs. Armstrong.

A STAR client, who had agreed to to be interviewed for this article, got scared and backed out over fears stemming from this attitude, according to Mrs. Armstrong.

She added: "If people felt more comfortable and they were able to disclose it, the public would be more accepting and understanding.

"It's just so unfortunate that even this morning our young man declined to speak. The powers that be must become more sensitive to the problem. We are looking at a life and death situation that will affect every segment of the population. If we are going to protect the future we have to do something.

"Every case is a person and every person is a part of the community."

Anyone interested in getting tested can go to the Government's Sexually Transmitted Clinic or the STAR offices for counselling or further help.

To contact STAR call: 292-5941.