HIV hotline receives 45 calls

A total of 45 people who are worried that they might be at the centre of a HIV infection scare have contacted a special telephone helpline, it emerged today.

Public health officials say calls are still coming in and they will keep the line open for as long as they need to.

They say a number of women who are worried they might be affected have also attended sexual health clinics for check-ups.

It follows the officials' appeal last week to persuade women clubbers who may have had unprotected sex with a man they met at one of Leicester's nightclubs.

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The appeal followed revelations by a mental health patient that he may have infected women he met at the After Dark Club, in Churchgate, Leicester – which has now closed – and the Burlington Club, a private Club, in St Peter's Road, Highfields.

Health bosses have also written to 420 patients who the man might have met at the Brandon Unit, run by the Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, which runs mental health services, after he admitted having sexual relationships with a number of women he met there.

Dr Philip Monk, a consultant for the Health Protection Agency in the East Midlands, said: "We will keep the telephone helpline open for as long as we need and all the time we are receiving calls.

"So far, we have received 45 calls, which is about in the order of what we thought.

"They have not just been from worried patients, but also people wanting to check facts.

"We believe a number of women have also gone to walk-in clinics."

The helpline number is 0845 603 0897.