800 may have HIV in C. Java

800 may have HIV in C. Java

SEMARANG, Central Java: As many as 800 people may have the
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) that causes the deadly
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) in this province, a
local official revealed on Saturday.

Chief of the social health service department, Muchtadi, said
four people were reported to have died of AIDS.

Muchtadi said that the mushrooming discotheques, brothels,
massage parlors in major towns had contributed to the rapid
spread of the disease.

"The fear (of acquiring HIV) is well founded because 90
percent of those infected with the disease get it through sexual
intercourse," he said, as quoted by Antara.

In a bid to curb the spread of AIDS, the provincial government
has formed anti-AIDS commissions in 22 of the 35 regencies in the
densely-populated province. (pan)