Myanmar rejects AIDS fears

Myanmar rejects AIDS fears

BANGKOK (AFP): Myanmar said on Sunday it had "no sex industry" and AIDS was under control, despite UN fears an epidemic could explode in the military-run state.

The junta said it had taken great steps to control the epidemic since 1985 and denied unspecified reports Myanmar was spreading AIDS to neighbors such as Thailand and India.

"It is very difficult to understand how the HIV/AIDS epidemic could spread from Myanmar into neighboring countries as alleged by certain quarters," it said in a detailed statement issued in response to recent reports on the AIDS situation there.

United Nations officials earlier this month warned of a growing HIV/AIDS epidemic in Myanmar and said the junta was largely ignoring it.