17 tested HIV positive

17 tested HIV positive

BATAM ISLAND, Riau: Seventeen have tested positive for the
Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV) in the province, nine of whom
are on Batam island, head of the local health office Salohot said
on Saturday.

"According to the latest data as of Oct. 31, 1994, the Riau
province ranks fifth in the number of people testing HIV
positive," Salohot was quoted by the Antara news agency as
saying.

She said Batam and Bintan islands are highly susceptible to
the deadly Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), which is
caused by HIV. (imn)