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U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• International News
WHO Warns Asia of Wider HIV/AIDS Epidemic
September 10, 2003 This article is part of TheBody.com's archive. Because it contains information that may no longer be accurate, this article should only be considered a historical document. A rise in sexually transmitted diseases, particularly among young adults, could widen an HIV/AIDS epidemic in the Asia-Pacific region, the World Health Organization warned today. High-risk behavior is on the rise and there are more STDs, notably in Mongolia, the Philippines and Pacific island countries, WHO's Western Pacific office said in a statement. Surveys in China, Malaysia and Vietnam report an increase in the percentage of IV drug users selling sex, and evidence suggests this is spreading HIV in the wider community, it added. At its annual conference in Manila, WHO's regional committee for the Western Pacific urged greater efforts to promote condom use, needle exchange programs, and expanded drug treatment for IV drug users. It also called for more effective partnerships among WHO, governments and other agencies to battle HIV/AIDS. An estimated 1.2 million people in the Western Pacific have HIV, and there are 55,000 new AIDS cases each year -- a number projected to reach at least 120,000 by 2005, according to WHO.
Back to other news for September 10, 2003 This article is part of TheBody.com's archive. Because it contains information that may no longer be accurate, this article should only be considered a historical document. Associated Press 09.10.03 This article was provided by U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is a part of the publication CDC HIV/Hepatitis/STD/TB Prevention News Update. |
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