More AIDS cases found

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: The number of people tested for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), and found to be positive, has risen to 60 across the province. 10 of those are locals, an official said yesterday.

Chairman of the local office of the health training center, Sandjaja, told Antara that most of the people having HIV, causing the fatal Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), were Thais who work in fishery companies.

The provincial government has, since 1990, regularly taken blood samples from people in high risk groups, such as prostitutes. Thai nationals are to be tested for HIV also.

Sandjaja called on companies employing Thais to have their employees checked for AIDS regularly and not to extend contracts with those tested HIV positive.(pan)