Russia Has Doubled in HIV Infections in ten years, Says Ex-Soviet

"In Eastern Europe, where 77 percent of all new infections were reported, two thirds of cases among injecting drug users were detected late. This means they are more likely to transmit HIV, their treatment is more expensive, and they are more likely to die," said Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHO Regional Director for Europe.

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The majority of new HIV cases are among people 30 to 39 years old, with Russia and Ukraine reporting the highest number of new infections.

Infection rates also quadrupled in Armenia and Azerbaijan.

The WHO says there were 35 million people around the world living with HIV by the end of 2013, with 2.1 million new infections during the course of that year.

Sub-Saharan Africa is the most affected region, with almost 70 percent of new infections.

Source: AFP