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Government slams HIV/AIDS report

    JOHANNESBURG

    South Africa's government has rejected claims that local children were contracting HIV through dirty needles, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) reported on Tuesday.

    A recent study by the Human Sciences Research Council of South Africa (HSRC) suggested that dirty needles were the main cause of HIV infection among children.

    However, the Department of Health warned that the theory could reverse gains made in HIV/AIDS prevention through condom use.

    South Africa has the largest HIV-positive population in the world, with one in five people living with HIV/AIDS.

    "I believe the matter should be more closely investigated before such conclusions are drawn," Department of Health chief director for Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS, Dr Nono Simelela, said.

    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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