Nineteen Thai fishermen isolated

MEDAN, North Sumatra: Nineteen Thai fishermen suspected of carrying the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, which can lead to AIDS, have been isolated aboard the KM Amanda-I now moored at the Belawan port.

Antara quoted port spokesman Iskandar Lubis as saying on Saturday that the authorities decided to isolate the fishermen in order to reduce the possibility of their infecting their friends or other people.

The 19 were part of a group of Thai fishermen whose boats were impounded on February for illegally fishing in Indonesian waters. They were then found to have tested positive for HIV in several Elisa I and II blood tests.

Along with 40 others, the fishermen are now waiting for the immigration authorities to deport them. (swe)