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Infection spreading alarmingly

    ABIDJAN

    In Liberia, Health Minister Dr. Peter Coleman said HIV infection was spreading at an alarming rate, independent Star radio reported on Wednesday. He said more than 100,000 people tested were HIV positive. Star quoted him as saying that this figure had increased by over 20,000 additional cases in the last two months.

    The radio said the National Aids Control Programme (NACP) had reported some 60,000 people were infected with the virus. The head of NACP, Dr. Isabelle Simbay, said most of those infected were between the ages of 15 and 29, Star reported.

    Meanwhile, the pollution Control Association of Liberia (POCAL) has launched an HIV/AIDS prevention programme among teenagers. The programme is designed to encourage sexual abstinence or, if impossible, then the use of condoms. POCAL blamed the spread of the disease among teens on uncontrolled sex, alcohol and drugs abuse.

    The organization recently launched an HIV/AIDS prevention programme for prison inmates. POCAL also educates women, drug addicts, students and the homeless on preventive methods.

    This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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