Nineteen Thai fishermen isolated

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)