Irian Jaya has 73 HIV cases

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)