More HIV-positive cases in Irian

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: Fifteen more people have reportedly tested positive for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), bringing the total to 95.

All of the newly-reported cases are Thai citizens residing in Kaimana regency.

"The province ranks second after Jakarta in HIV-positive cases," Director General for the Prevention of Contagious Disease of the Ministry of Health Hadi M. Abednego told Antara yesterday.

The authorities have banned Thai fishing boats from using the ports of Merauke and Kaimana, two towns which have seen a rapid increase of HIV cases.

In Merauke last year, 50 Thai fishermen reportedly tested HIV positive. Last month, 15 other Thais in Kaimana were also found to be HIV positive.

As of the end of last month, the total number of people infected with HIV in Indonesia reached 346 people.

Officials, however, have said the actual number of cases is a lot higher than recorded. (31)