El Salvador has reported 1,135 new cases of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection or full blown AIDS in the first half of 2007, according to the Latin American chapter of the UN Joint AIDS Programme (UNAIDS).
The pandemic since late 20th century has somewhat stabilized in the territory after affecting 0.8 percent of the population, according to UNAIDS representative Herbert Betancourt."We are witnessing a stabilized situation worldwide, but figures remain lamentable. Therefore, UNAIDS will strengthen the epidemic monitoring and assessment, as well as technical support to guide efforts against it, and will mobilize resources leading to more effective responses", Betancourt said.
According to La Prensa Grafica daily, a UNAIDS report confirmed that 100,000 Latin Americans have been infected with the virus so far this year and 58,000 people died from complications related to AIDS, worldwide.
The UNAIDS new strategy to combat the menace will involve various entities belonging to the UN system in El Salvador, which are oriented to address childhood, development and health, among other issues.
Source-IANS
SRM/P
