UN: China threatened with HIV epidemic
Ten million people could be infected with HIV by the end of the decade as China approaches the brink of an ‘‘explosive’’ epidemic of the disease, according to a UN study released today.
The country is ‘‘on the verge of a catastrophe that could result in unimaginable suffering, economic loss and social devastation,’’ said the report titled HIV/Aids China’s Titanic Peril.’’
The study estimated that the number of people with the Aids virus was close to between 800,000 and 1.5 million last year - most of them infected through intravenous drug use or poor sanitation in China’s blood-buying industry.
The figure could soar to 10 million by 2010, said Siri Tellier, chairwoman of the UN group which prepared the report.
‘‘It is more than a disease ... it’s a disaster,’’ she said. ‘‘Once you have a certain concentration of it, it will hit the general population.’’
The report recommends the Chinese government spend more on education and prevention and bring the topic openly before the public to remove the stigma of infection so that more people would seek testing and treatment.
