*EPF208 07/02/2002
Fact Sheet: UNAIDS Warns of Increases in HIV Infection in Asia
(China's rate rose more than 67 percent in early 2001) (1060)

Despite well-documented and successful HIV-prevention programs, the epidemic continues to spread in the Asia-Pacific region, according to UNAIDS.

In a fact sheet released July 2, UNAIDS reports that China, with a fifth of the world's population, registered a rise of more than 67 percent in reported HIV infections in the first six months of 2001.

Asia and the Pacific are home to more people living with HIV/AIDS than any other region beside sub-Saharan Africa -- an estimated 6.6 million people at the end of 2001, including the 1 million adults and children who were newly infected in that same year, UNAIDS says.

Following is the text of the fact sheet:

(begin fact sheet)

UNAIDS
Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS

Fact Sheet 2002

Asia and the Pacific

Asia and the Pacific serve as a reminder that no country is immune to a serious HIV epidemic. Despite well-documented and successful HIV-prevention programmes, the epidemic continues to spread, with the situation rapidly changing in parts of the region. In several countries, low national prevalence rates conceal serious, localized epidemics in several areas.

-- Asia and the Pacific are home to more people living with HIV/AIDS than any other region beside sub-Saharan Africa -- an estimated 6.6 million people at the end of 2001, including the 1 million adults and children who were newly infected in that same year.

-- HIV prevalence among 15-49-year-olds exceeds 1% in two countries-Cambodia and Thailand-and possibly a third, Myanmar. In these countries, HIV is transmitted primarily through unsafe sex, although drug-injecting practices play a strong role in Thailand and Myanmar. But in such a populous region (China and India together account for more than one-third of the world's population), even comparatively low HIV prevalence rates translate into large numbers of infections.

Dangerous increases

-- China, with a fifth of the world's population, registered a rise of more than 67% in reported HIV infections in the first six months of 2001. Although surveillance data are sketchy, an estimated 850,000 Chinese were living with HIV/AIDS as of the end of 2001.

-- Since the early 1990s, tens of thousands of rural villagers (and possibly many more) have become infected in China through unsafe blood-donation procedures. Most of these people live in Henan Province in central China, but there are concerns that similar situations are unfolding in other provinces, including Anhui and Shanxi.

-- Serious localized HIV epidemics are occurring among injecting drug users in at least seven provinces, with prevalence rates higher than 70% among injecting drug users in areas such as Yili Prefecture in Xinjiang and Ruili County in Yunnan. Another nine provinces are possibly on the brink of similar HIV epidemics because of very high rates of needle-sharing. There are also signs of heterosexually transmitted HIV epidemics in at least three provinces (Guangdong, Guangxi and Yunnan), where HIV prevalence rates were as high as 11% among sentinel sex worker populations in 2000.

-- Several other factors highlight the need for swift action to prevent a more serious epidemic in China. Reported sexually transmitted infections rose from 430,000 cases in 1997 to 860,000 cases in 2000, suggesting that unprotected sex with non-monogamous partners is growing in China. In addition, massive population mobility (approximately 100 million Chinese are temporarily or permanently away from their registered addresses) and increasing socioeconomic disparities add to the likelihood of HIV spreading.

-- In India, an estimated 3.97 million people were living with HIV/AIDS at the end of 2001-more than any other country in the world except South Africa. Moreover, this region's epidemic is spreading into the general population. The median HIV prevalence among women attending antenatal clinics in Andhra Pradesh was higher than 2% and exceeded 1% in Karnataka, Maharashtra, Manipur and Tamil Nadu.

-- Indonesia, the world's fourth-most populous country, is an example of how quickly an HIV/AIDS epidemic can spread. After more than 10 years of negligible HIV prevalence, the infection rates among injecting drug users, sex workers and blood donors in some regions are rapidly increasing. At one drug treatment centre in Jakarta, HIV prevalence rose from 15.4% in 2000 to more than 40% by mid-2001.

-- Papua New Guinea has reported the highest HIV infection rates among the Pacific Island countries and territories. The results of recent studies in the capital of Port Moresby show high HIV prevalence levels among female sex workers (17%) and attendees of sexually transmitted infection clinics (7% in 1999).

-- Even though the Philippines has maintained a low HIV prevalence, higher rates of other sexually transmitted infections among Filipino sex workers, their clients and men who have sex with men indicate low levels of condom use.

Sustained prevention works

-- Consistent political commitment, at all levels, can bring the epidemic under control. In Cambodia, HIV prevalence fell from more than 4% at the end of 1999 to 2.7% at the end of 2001 as a result of a multifaceted response that included a 100%-condom-use programme and steps to counter stigma. HIV/AIDS has also been mainstreamed into the strategic plans of several ministries, including the Ministry of National Defence.

-- Thailand's well-funded, politically supported and comprehensive prevention programmes have reduced the number of annual HIV infections from 143,000 in 1991 to 29,000 in 2001.

-- None the less, AIDS is still Thailand's leading cause of death, and 1-in-100 people in this country of 63.6 million are infected with HIV. There is concern that unless prevention efforts are adapted to changes in the epidemic, it could break out of its current pattern and spread further. At particular risk are the spouses of sex workers' clients, young people, injecting drug users, men who have sex with men, and mobile populations.

-- Bangladesh has a low level of HIV infection, even in its high-risk population groups. Yet, with only 0.2% of brothel-based sex workers consistently using condoms during paid sex, and 93% of men who sell sex to other men saying they seldom or never used condoms, it is believed that the virus will spread quickly once it gains hold. Alert to these dangers, Bangladesh has mounted an early response, which includes a countrywide network of AIDS organizations that participate in policy formation.

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(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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