UNAIDS revises total figure for people living with HIV to 33M
Submitted on Sun, 25/11/2007 - 07:43
The United Nations has sharply reduced its estimate of the size of the world's AIDS epidemic in a new report published Monday. The revised figures particularly reflect new numbers for the virus in India - but also indicate strides in fighting the epidemic worldwide. For VOA, Lisa Bryant has more from Paris.
The new study by the United Nations organization UNAIDS cuts the number of infections to about 33 million - down from its estimated 39.5 million in 2006.
The new number largely reflects reestimates in India - which cut the numbers of HIV infections to 2.5 million people.
Overall, Africa remains the hardest hit by the virus. Roughly 22.5 million people in sub-Saharan Africa live with HIV and AIDS - 68 percent of the global total - and two thirds of all new infections are recorded in sub-Saharan Africa. Asia and the Caribbean region also are hard hit by the virus.