Vietnam Reports More than 37,000 HIV-Positive Citizens, Numbers Due to Rise

Vietnam has reported positive HIV test results for 37,111 people, but the actual number of HIV carriers in the country may exceed 137,000, according to the Ministry of Health's AIDS Committee, the Associated Press reports. The committee estimates that the actual number of HIV-positive citizens could reach 197,000 by 2005, with increases of 12,000 to 18,000 per year over the next five years. To prevent an increase in cases, the Vietnamese government has allocated $4.2 million this year to buy HIV test kits, ensure safe blood transfusions and raise public awareness. Ho Chi Minh City ranks first among the nation's 61 cities and provinces for HIV infection, with 7,690 cases reported and illegal drug users representing 61% of the HIV-positive population, a committee official said. Since the virus was first detected in Vietnam in 1990, 3,020 Vietnamese have died from AIDS (Associated Press, 8/7).