Vietnam reports more children getting HIV
HANOI - Vietnam had detected 607 babies who got HIV from their infected mothers by late 2004, up from 40 in late 2001, according to the country's Health Ministry on Monday.
Some 2,800 out of 1.8-2 million babies born annually get the virus from their infected mothers in recent years in Vietnam. The country is estimated to have around 8,500 HIV carriers aged 1-15, and some 22,000 orphans due to AIDS.
Vietnam will annually see 40,000 HIV carriers in the 2005-2010 period, the ministry predicted, noting that the country is estimated to have a total of 218,000-308,000 infected people by late this year.
As of March 31, Vietnam had diagnosed more than 93,000 HIV carriers, of whom 14,913 developed full-blown AIDS, including 8,768 fatalities. The actual number of infections may be higher.
Vietnam has targeted to reduce the HIV/AIDS infection rate among its 82-million population to below 0.3 percent by 2010, and keep it unchanged after 2020.
To this end, the country has intensified publicity about HIV/AIDS with contents expanding into areas of virtues, lifestyle and behavior, such as encouraging youths to use "ABC" preventive approach (Abstinence, Being faithful and Condom use) and keeping away from drug addiction and prostitution.
Xinhua - September 12, 2005.
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