AIDS lurks in East Timor

AIDS lurks in East Timor

DILI, East Timor: Increasing human traffic has exposed the
province to the deadly Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
(AIDS), chief of the provincial health office Samuel Munaiseche
said yesterday.

The local government has embarked on an information campaign
to improve people's awareness about AIDS, he said.

"Although there has been no reported case of AIDS, the public
need to stay alert on the spread of HIV (Human Immuno-deficiency
Virus)," he said as quoted by Antara.

The information campaign is aimed at people from high risk
groups and students, he added.

The presence of prostitutes is feared to make the spread of
AIDS possible, he said. Cases of gonorrhea and syphilis have been
found. (pan)