With HIV spreading, China steps up very public campaign

[siceone]

With HIV spreading, China steps up very public campaign

2004 New York Times News Service

BEIJING -- The Chinese government warned Sunday that AIDS is continuing to spread rapidly in the world's most populous country and announced new "urgent measures" to improve prevention and education efforts that include holding local officials directly responsible for curbing the disease.

"Those officials breaching duty or hiding epidemic reports will be severely punished," stated a 12-page circular from the State Council, China's cabinet.

Wu Yi, the government's point person in fighting AIDS, cautioned that China was at a crucial stage because the disease may soon jump from high-risk groups like prostitutes and intravenous drug users into the general population.

Wucalled for a crackdown on prostitution and illegal blood sales that led to an outbreak of AIDS in rural central China. She also said that condom use and clean needle exchanges for drug users should be encouraged.

Experts have predicted that China could have as many as 10 million AIDS patients by 2010 if the government fails to adequately fight the disease.

Government statistics estimate that 840,000 people in China are HIV carriers, while 80,000 have tested positive for AIDS. More than 100,000 people are already believed to have died of the disease. The new announcement noted that AIDS is in every province and region of China.

[vicman]

in some African countries 20% of their population is already infected with HIV or has full blown AIDS.

[jamiroguy1]

Some african countries are already in full epidemic mode with Aids.