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)