Extramarital and unprotected sex behind HIV/AIDS spread

Aizawl, Feb 02 (PTI) Extramarital and unprotected sexwas the cause of the spread of HIV/AIDS in Mizoram, officialsof State AIDS Control Society said here today.

Dr Zothankhuma, Deputy Director of Mizoram State AIDSControl Society said that more than 67.86 per cent of thefresh HIV cases detected in the state during 2010 wereinfected through sexual contacts.

Out of the 35,636 blood samples tested last year,1,223 people were tested positive for HIV, of which 830 peoplecontacted the dreaded virus through unprotected sex,Zothankhuma said.

He said 348 new detections were infected throughintravenous drug use and 25 of them (children) through theirmothers while the cause of infection of 20 others were notconfirmed.

Since 1990 when the first HIV/AIDS case was detectedin the state till October 2010, 5,312 HIV positives have beendetected.

While 538 people were found to be full blown AIDS,177 people including 73 females have died due to AIDS, hesaid.