The World Health Organization (WHO) retracted yesterday claims featuring in a report on HIV infections in Greece, clarifying that "WHO recognizes that there is no evidence suggesting that deliberate self-infection with HIV goes beyond a few anecdotal cases. The statement is the consequence of an error in the editing of the report, for which WHO apologizes."

In its announcement the Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention (KEELPNO) stated that it had pointed out to the WHO the mistake in the Geneva-based organization’s European Region Report regarding how HIV cases in Greece are contracted. The number of new HIV cases recorded in Greece this year is set to be lower than last year; 792 new cases of HIV had been reported during the first 10 months of the year, against 1,058 cases during the same period in 2012, according to figures provided by KEELPNO.