HIV Rate in Russia Reaches 305,500

Since Russia's first HIV case in 1987, the country has diagnosed 312,000 people with HIV, among whom 6,500 people have died of AIDS, said Vadim Pokrovsky, head of the Federal HIV/AIDS Prevention and Treatment Center. An estimated 100 Russians contract HIV every day, he said. "Last year alone we registered 37,336 HIV cases, and the rate was 39,000 in 2003," despite examining 10 percent fewer people from high risk groups in 2004, he added. Pokrovsky estimated Russia's real HIV numbers are three times higher than official figures. "In fact, we can say that every 150th Russian is HIV-positive. No less than 1 percent of adults and over 2 percent of youngsters [ages] 15 to 35 are infected," he stated. Most HIV cases are registered in cities and industrial areas, he said. Last year, there were about 2,500 diagnoses in Moscow, 4,000 in the Moscow region, 3,500 in the Sverdlosk region, and 3,500 in St. Petersburg.

Back to other news for March 2, 2005

Search the Newsroom archive