Irian Jaya has 73 HIV cases

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya (JP): Official statistics show that the number of people in the area with the Human Immuno-Deficiency Virus, which causes AIDS, has reached 73.

A spokesman for the provincial health office, Gunawan, told Antara that most of the HIV carriers are Thais working in local fishing companies in Merauke, while 23 are local residents.

The first AIDS cases were detected in Irian Jaya in 1990, when local officials warned of a dramatic rise in cases of the incurable disease.

Gunawan said three of the 23 local residents suffering from AIDS died recently.

Local officials conducted tests on people in high-risk categories, such as workers in bars, restaurants, massage parlors and brothels.

"We are waiting for the results from (Jakarta's) Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital of medical tests on the blood samples taken from 19 residents in the high risk groups," he said. (pan)