Nearly 70 people with HIV in Subang die
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Sat, 08/28/2010 9:45 AM
As many as 352 people have been infected with HIV in the West Java regency of Subang, 69 of them died this year, a government official says.
Coordinator of HIV/AIDS control at the Subang health agency, Suwata, said on Saturday most of the HIV cases were found in the north coast area of the regency.
“We have declared the north coast area a hot spot of HIV infection partly due to the presence of illegal red-light districts there. The rampant but hidden prostitution has made it difficult for us to detect the virus spread,” Suwata said as quoted by Antara news agency.
The health agency data reveals that most of the people with HIV are prostitutes, who operate in 13 areas in Patokbeusi, Blanakan, Ciasem, Pamanukan and Cipunagara districts.
The agency has also found three infants are among those infected.
To fight HIV spread, the agency has conducted regular tests on high-risk groups and intensified campaign to raise public awareness of the virus, Suwata said.
The north coast road of Subang is one of the busiest lines that support flows of passengers and commodities in Java.
