Number of HIV-infected persons goes down

A number of 645 new HIV cases had been recorded in Moldova in the eleven months to November, 243 of which in the Transnistrian region. This is by 73 cases fewer compared with the corresponding period last year, Info-Prim Neo reports. In a news conference in December 1, Deputy Minister of Health Mihai Magdei said the number of new HIV cases among drug addicts has decreased, but the number of persons infected by means of sexual contact has increased. “The infection rate remains high in Balti, Chisinau, Tiraspol and other cities. 80.21% of the infected persons are aged between 15 and 39. 204 persons benefited from antiretroviral treatment during the first ten months of this year. 558 persons receive such treatment at present. 58 HIV-seropositive pregnant women and 63 children born by infected mothers received prophylactic treatment,” the deputy minister said. According to Mihai Magdei, there are about 5,000 HIV-infected persons in Moldova at present. 170 Moldovans have died of AIDS so far. The illness affects life expectancy. Stefan Gheorghita, deputy director of the AIDS Center, said about 42% of the persons that contact HIV yearly are young persons from villages, where there are not enough sources of information and protection. According to UNAIDS, an estimated 35.7 million people live with HIV/AIDS worldwide. 26 million of them have a job. The illness took the lives of 25 million people, including 5 million children.