Thais with HIV told to go home

Thais with HIV told to go home

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: Fak Fak Regent Suparlan Pasambuna has demanded a local fish-canning company send home 15 reportedly HIV-positive Thai fishermen in its employment.

The Antara news agency quoted Suparlan as saying yesterday that he has reported the discovery of people with Human Immunodeficiency Virus to the governor and that relevant authorities are working to deport the fishermen.

He said his office has forbidden the Thai fishermen from disembarking at ports in the regency for fear that they might spread the disease. The Thais are currently employed by PT Istana Samudera, a subsidiary of the PT Bouraq airline company.

"No way would we let them spread the virus in Irian Jaya," Suparlan said.

The number of Irian Jaya people who have tested HIV positive is currently 95, seven of whom have developed full-blown Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, the fatal disease caused by HIV. (swe)