HONG KONG -- A total of 414 new cases of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) were confirmed in Hong Kong in 2007, which was the highest number ever before, Hong Kong Center for Health Protection said on Tuesday.

The figure was 11 percent higher than 2006, the center said.

Center for Health Protection Consultant Wong Ka-hing said that sexual transmission was still the major mode of HIV spread in Hong Kong.

Of the new cases, 103 acquired the infection via heterosexual exposure, 168 via homosexual or bisexual contact, 43 through injection drug use, two through blood or blood-product infusion and one through perinatal transmission.

Last year's fourth quarter saw 87 people test positive for HIV, bringing Hong Kong's cumulative total of reported HIV infections to 3,612 since 1984. Of the 74 men and 13 women, 17 acquired the infection via heterosexual contact, 34 via homosexual or bisexual contact, eight via drug injection and one through blood or blood- product infusion, Wong said.