51 cases of HIV found in E. Java

SURABAYA: As many as 51 people in East Java were found to have been infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), nine of whom have died, in the past decade, a local health official said on Thursday.

The head of the East Java health office, Udin Muhammad Muslaini, said the surviving HIV carriers are now undergoing intensive medical treatment.

"The government covers their medical fees to encourage them to start a normal life when they return home," Muslaini said as quoted by Antara.

According to Muslaini, most of the sufferers were infected through sexual intercourse.

HIV can lead to lethal Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).