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Thailand Warned of HIV Infection Rebound

Posted on: Sunday, 21 August 2005, 09:00 CDT

Thailand warned of HIV infection rebound

BANGKOK, Aug. 20 (Xinhua) -- Thailand should pay more attention to prevent rebound of HIV/AIDS infection in spite of the fact that the country has successfully controlled the disease spread over the decade, said an expert of World Health Organization (WHO).

"Thailand has done a good job fighting against HIV/AIDS, I hope to see more cooperation,...between the government and independent networks working closely to minimize the epidemic's spread," Bangkok Post on Saturday quoted Daniel Tarantola, a WHO expert on the disease, as saying.

He said that signs have shown threatening rebound of the HIV epidemic in Thailand, especially among teenagers, drug users and housewives.

"Risks are still high given the changing sexual behavior in society," the WHO expert told a press conference held at the Thai Public Health Ministry.

He urged the government to earmark more funds for efforts to prevent the spread of AIDS, and involve youths and communities in the process.

Thailand has cut the number of new patients living with HIV from 17,000 people last year to 15,000 this year.

One third of new HIV infections are among women who have regular sex with their spouses. There were also signs of an increased risk of infection among men who have sex with men.

Besides, local HIV/AIDS expert also noticed increasing infection of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among teenagers, which indicate a higher risk of HIV infection.

"We campaigned hard to reduce AIDS transmission almost 20 years ago. So teenagers now don't know about our strong campaign against the epidemic," said Narongsak Ungkaauwapla, deputy permanent secretary of the Public Health Ministry.

Source: Xinhua News Agency - CEIS

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