According to a report Thursday by the Bulgarian Telegraphic Agency, the Bulgarian Health Ministry announced that 68 people were diagnosed with AIDS in the first half of 2005. This is equal to the total number of new cases for all of 2004. While the ministry says the nation has recorded 566 AIDS cases since documenting its first case in 1986, experts say the true figure is likely 8,000-10,000. Of the new cases, seven were infants born to infected mothers. New regulations require that all HIV patients be diagnosed and treated and that hospitals keep information on HIV patients secret. The government said it will provide 14,000 levs ($875 US) per patient per year, and it has ruled that employers must not fire HIV-positive workers who are still able to perform their duties.

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