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"Singapore’s HIV/AIDS cases rise by
record 357"
The
Star (www.thestar.com.my)
(16/06/07)
SINGAPORE: New HIV/AIDS infections in Singapore rose by a record 357 cases
in 2006, bringing the total number of people diagnosed with the disease to
3,060, the Health Ministry said.
The 2006 figures released yesterday on the ministry's website showed an
increase of 12.6% from 2005 when there were 317 new cases then a record high
number of new infections from a population of just above four million.
More than 90% of new HIV cases detected in 2006 were through sexual
transmission with two-thirds of the infections from heterosexual sex, the
ministry said.
Of the 3,060 cases overall in Singapore, 1,048 have died, 1,307 show no
signs of the illness while 705 have AIDS-related illnesses, said the
ministry.
More than half of those detected with the disease in 2006 were already at a
late stage of HIV/AIDS infection, it said.
“This was similar to the pattern in previous years,” said the ministry.
“There is thus an urgent need for persons who engage in high risk behaviour
such as unprotected casual sex and intravenous drug abuse to test themselves
for HIV,” it said.
HIV is the virus that causes deadly Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
(AIDS), which is transmitted largely through unprotected sex and sharing
intravenous needles. There is no cure for AIDS.
It breaks down a person's immune system, rendering them vulnerable to
infection and disease.
Singapore has expressed alarm over the growth of HIV infections but the
government has rejected widespread promotion of condom use. — AFP
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