Kiribati says 52 HIV cases now known

[Stacey King]

RADIO NEW ZEALAND INTERNATIONAL - Posted at 02:51 on 17 June, 2009 UTC
The number of confirmed cases of HIV in Kiribati stands at 52, according to Ministry of Health figures, but authorities believe others are infected. 20 women and 32 men are now confirmed HIV positive. The HIV/AIDS Coordinator Mamao Robate said two women were recently detected through voluntary blood tests.
She says two of those infected have gone public and are now assisting the Task Force in its campaign against the virus, telling their story, and talking about how HIV is transmitted and what people need to do to avoid it.

Ms. Robate says they believe there are other HIV positive individuals in the community, who are unaware they have the virus.

Her Task Force is encouraging the general public to have blood tests.

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