39 died last year due to AIDS in Kolar District

Kolar, Nov 29 (UNI) About 39 people have died of dreaded disease AIDS in Kolar district last year, Dr K S Prakash, District Nodal officer for HIV prevention program said today.

Talking to press persons here he said that the prevalence in the District has decreased as compared to other districts in the State, As against the prevalence rate of 1.5 per cent last year, it has come down to One per cent this year.

Over 13,404 persons were counselled during the last ten months in the district of which 10,768 persons got tested for the disease and blood samples of 576 persons have proved positive for HIV he added.

Stating that India stands third among the HIV affected countries only behind South Africa and Nigeria, Dr Prakash said there are 31 lakh persons in the country affected with the disease, while there are five lakh patients in the State.

Dr Prakash said that AIDS day would be celebrated on the 1st of December and the HIV affected patients would be counselled on the occasion he said. Many program aimed at creating awareness against AIDS are also being organised on the occasion Dr Prakash said.

UNI