« Back To World Top

HIV cases could climb 8 million in Asia by 2020

NEW YORK —

The number of people newly infected with HIV in Asia could surge by 8 million by 2020 if Asian countries fail to implement scaled-up measures to fight the spread of the virus that causes AIDS, warned a report submitted to the U.N. chief on Wednesday. Titled ‘‘Redefining AIDS in Asia—Crafting an effective response’’ by the independent Commission on AIDS in Asia, the report was presented to U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki Moon.

The commission recommended that an annual investment of only $0.3 per capita on focused prevention programs can reverse the epidemics. It also called for establishing specialized institutions to consider measures to combat AIDS and more extensive use of condoms. The infection of HIV is caused mainly by sex workers, drug users, men who have sex with men and transgenders in Asia, the commission observed.

© 2008 Kyodo News. All rights reserved. No reproduction or republication without written permission.

1 Comments

  • ancientone at 01:54 PM JST - 27th March

    Wow, thats a lot of sick people. and to think, to curb the spread all we have to do is prevent its spread. a condom is starting to look better and better all the time.

Register or login to add a comment!