London HIV infection rates are starting to decrease consistently
in some countries for the first time, indicating that prevention
programs set up over the last five years are finally yielding
results, the United Nations said. However, the AIDS virus
continues to expand its reach, with the estimated number of
people living with the virus now passing 40 million, according
to this year's AIDS epidemic update report, published Monday by
the United Nations. That's an increase of some 900,000 cases
over the estimate for the previous year. AIDS has killed more
than 25 million people since it was first recognized in 1981,
making it one of the most destructive epidemics in history. An
estimated 3.1 million people died from AIDS-related illnesses
last year, and 4.9 million more people became infected with HIV,
the virus that causes AIDS. Only a handful of countries have
made serious efforts to combat the disease, the report said.
Worldwide, less than one in five people at risk has access to
basic prevention services, a