10 E. Java inmates HIV positive

Ten prisoners at a penitentiary in Jember, East Java, have tested positive for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

The discovery was made after testing high-risk inmates, including injecting drug users, local health agency spokesman Yumarlis said, antaranews.com reported.

Yumarlis said the inmates should not be persecuted and needed support.

The health agency promised to give the prisoners counseling and antiretroviral medication.

Jember currently has 553 reported cases of HIV infections, including 112 housewives who likely contracted the virus from philandering husbands, he said.