Low AIDS rates still cause for concern

ALGERIA: Low AIDS rates still cause for concern

JOHANNESBURG, 23 Jul 2004 (PLUSNEWS) - Algeria is experiencing just 40 new HIV/AIDS cases per year, mainly in the capital, Algiers, physicians specialising in infectious diseases told a recent AIDS seminar held there.

UNAIDS has cautioned that although HIV prevalence remained low at just 1,591 diagnosed cases, the existence of risk behaviours among vulnerable groups, diversity in prevalence rates across regions and other determinants required immediate action to prevent a further spread of the virus.

According to United Press International, the specialists said transmission of the virus among the population of almost 34 million was occurring through the sex trade, multiple sex partners and medical mistakes.

[ENDS]

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