HIV infects 200,000 more in Latin America, Caribbean
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2005-11-22 10:03

Human Immunodeficiency Virus, the infection that causes Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) has infected 200,000 new victims across Latin America and the Caribbean, bringing the total number of infections to 2.1 million, the United Nations said in a report published on Monday.

UNAIDS, the UN organ charged with tackling the disease, said that AIDS had killed 66,000 people in Latin America and 24,000 in the Caribbean, and that only Haiti was showing signs of slowing the epidemic. Tests administered to pregnant Haitians during 2003 and 2004 showed HIV infection had fallen to 3.1 percent, half of 1993's rate.

In the wider Caribbean, the UN reported increased use of condoms among sex workers and an expansion in testing and counselling provision. UNAIDS lauded Brazil for plan to provide AIDS treatment to 17,000 people free of charge by the end of this year. The UNAIDS said Brazil had set an example for the region.

The largest numbers of AIDS cases were in Brazil, Argentina and Colombia. Brazil estimates that 600,000 people there have the infection, in a population of 182 million. Neighboring Colombia estimates there are 220,000 cases, although it reckons that only 44,500 know that they have the disease.

UNAIDS said that the highest incidence of the disease was in Belize, Guatemala and Honduras, where around one percent of the population is infected.

The report said that the main transmission routes were unprotected sex, both heterosexual and homosexual, as well as intravenous drug use.

UNAIDS added that nearly half of new infections worldwide were in women, the highest every proportion.