The number of HIV cases in Tasmania is growing at an alarming rate.

Health officials are warning people not to let their guard down when it comes to practicing safe sex.

Health authorities are alarmed at a substantial rise in the number of Tasmanians with HIV.

In 2003 the state recorded 2 cases, but since then the disease has spread.

14 people were infected with the virus in 2008 - that figure's set to be surpassed this year with 14 cases already reported.

TasCAHRD CEO, Kevin Marriott said "The biggest concern of this is the fact that we're actually talking about newly acquired infections and 6 of the 14 cases this year to date have been newly acquired. That's new."

All 6 of the newly acquired infections have been men... experts at a loss to explain the reason behind the jump.

Mr Marriott said "Many of these guys are actually grown up in a culture where safe sex is actually considered to be something of a norm, so we really need to dig a bit deeper into why these notifications are occurring."

Director of Sexual Health, Dr Maree O'Sullivan said "I think alcohol is a big player, particularly with young people. People go out, they party, the drink a lot of alcohol - They become a bit disinhibitant and they forget the safer sex messages."

People having sex with casual partners are being urged to undertake regular health checkups.

HIV will be thrown into the national spotlight on Tuesday for World Aids Day.

A new campaign will also be launched in the next few months involving Internet chat rooms and dating websites.