Number of HIV Cases in Kazakhstan Increases, Agency Says

The number of new HIV cases in Kazakhstan has increased to 1,165 cases in the first six months of 2007, compared with 958 cases reported for the same period in 2006, the Kazakhstan Statistics Agency recently reported, the Times of Central Asia reports.

According to official statistics, 181 new HIV cases were reported in July 2007, compared with 131 cases in July 2006. The increase especially was prominent among children, as 40 new cases of HIV were reported in the July, an increase of 22 cases for the month in 2006. Roza Zhaukimova, an official with the regional administration in South Kazakhstan Oblast, warned that the increase in HIV cases most likely was linked to unsanitary blood transfusions (Times of Central Asia, 9/20).

Although HIV prevalence is low in Central Asia compared with other former Soviet republics, experts have said the region could experience an increase in cases if prevention is not made a priority (Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, 9/18).