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Further big drop in new HIV infections among children | Further big drop in new HIV infections among children |
(about 1 hour later) | |
By Jane Dreaper Health correspondent, BBC News | By Jane Dreaper Health correspondent, BBC News |
The UN's latest assessment of global cases of HIV/Aids shows there has been a further drop in new infections among children. | The UN's latest assessment of global cases of HIV/Aids shows there has been a further drop in new infections among children. |
There were 330,000 new infections in children last year - the figure is 24% lower than in 2009. | There were 330,000 new infections in children last year - the figure is 24% lower than in 2009. |
But the report by UNAids also warns "significant additional effort is required" if broader targets to tackle HIV/Aids are to be achieved by 2015. | But the report by UNAids also warns "significant additional effort is required" if broader targets to tackle HIV/Aids are to be achieved by 2015. |
The agency's director said the pace of progress was speeding up. | The agency's director said the pace of progress was speeding up. |
Overall, 34 million people around the world are now thought to have the virus that causes Aids. | Overall, 34 million people around the world are now thought to have the virus that causes Aids. |
The number of new infections in adults has stayed broadly stable for the past four years - at about 2.5 million new cases a year. | The number of new infections in adults has stayed broadly stable for the past four years - at about 2.5 million new cases a year. |
Practical programmes | Practical programmes |
Many more people with HIV now receive life-saving drugs which keep the virus under control. But the report estimates seven million people who need treatment still do not have it. | Many more people with HIV now receive life-saving drugs which keep the virus under control. But the report estimates seven million people who need treatment still do not have it. |
Sub-Saharan Africa remains the most severely affected part of the world, though some countries there have made impressive efforts in reducing fresh cases. | Sub-Saharan Africa remains the most severely affected part of the world, though some countries there have made impressive efforts in reducing fresh cases. |
The executive director of UNAids, Michel Sidibe, told BBC News: "Ethiopia, Malawi and Botswana have achieved big reductions in new infections, showing they are capable of controlling the epidemic. | The executive director of UNAids, Michel Sidibe, told BBC News: "Ethiopia, Malawi and Botswana have achieved big reductions in new infections, showing they are capable of controlling the epidemic. |
"Twenty-five countries have reduced the number of new infections by more than 50%. | "Twenty-five countries have reduced the number of new infections by more than 50%. |
"In general, we've moved from a phase of political rhetoric to programmes being implemented and having an effect. | "In general, we've moved from a phase of political rhetoric to programmes being implemented and having an effect. |
"But some countries aren't using the right strategies - Russia, for example, where infections are still growing." | "But some countries aren't using the right strategies - Russia, for example, where infections are still growing." |
The report also shows significant increases in Aids-related deaths in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East and North Africa. | The report also shows significant increases in Aids-related deaths in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East and North Africa. |
UNAids is monitoring progress against targets such as reducing sexual transmission of HIV by 50% by 2015, and providing antiretroviral therapy to all 15 million people who need it. | UNAids is monitoring progress against targets such as reducing sexual transmission of HIV by 50% by 2015, and providing antiretroviral therapy to all 15 million people who need it. |
The report shows where challenges remain. For example, it says there needs to be a scaling up of efforts to offer circumcision to men, which trials have shown is effective in preventing some new infections. | The report shows where challenges remain. For example, it says there needs to be a scaling up of efforts to offer circumcision to men, which trials have shown is effective in preventing some new infections. |
And it describes how "intensive efforts" are under way to find effective non-surgical approaches to circumcision - avoiding the need for scalpels or stitches - so that trained nurses could carry out the procedure rather than doctors. | And it describes how "intensive efforts" are under way to find effective non-surgical approaches to circumcision - avoiding the need for scalpels or stitches - so that trained nurses could carry out the procedure rather than doctors. |
Dr Manica Balasegaram, Executive Director of Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders Access Campaign, said: "Scaling up HIV treatment to 15 million people from 8 million today is feasible and has the crucial triple benefit of reducing illness, reducing death, and reducing the risk of transmission." |
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