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Fight discrimination to curb HIV spread

HIV transmission through unprotected sex accounted for over 90 percent of new cases reported in Shanghai so far this year and HIV/AIDS prevalence among gay men rose rapidly, officials from Shanghai Health Bureau said today, the eve of the World AIDS Day.

Government officials are calling for a publicity campaign to eliminate discrimination against HIV carriers and AIDS patients, control the spread of the disease, and respect the rights of HIV-positive people for health care, education, employment and privacy.

"The spread of HIV/AIDS in Shanghai has reached a critical point from high-risk groups to the general population," said Vice Mayor Shen Xiaoming. "Without taking effective measures, the city's HIV/AIDS cases will proliferate at a faster speed and spread among ordinary people. Anti-discrimination is the key to HIV prevention and control."

By November 20, Shanghai registered 1,479 new HIV carriers, 727 new AIDS patients and 134 AIDS-related deaths this year, bringing the total numbers to 9,126, 2,590 and 429 respectively.

The city's first HIV case was reported in 1987 and the first AIDS patient was identified in 1996.

The prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Shanghai is still in a stable increase. This year's number of new HIV carriers is 14.3 percent more than last year. Migrants made up the majority of new HIV cases this year, the officials said.



 

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