HIV Infections in Russia Rise 10 Percent in 2011

The number of new HIV cases registered in Russia from January to October this year, 48,363, is almost 10 percent higher than the figure for the same period in 2010, according to health officials.

By year’s end, new cases may top 62,000. “Russia has an extremely unfavorable HIV situation,” said Vadim Pokrovsky, chief of the Russian federal AIDS research center. “In the meantime, in the United States and Western Europe the number of new cases has been shrinking.”

According to the Itar-Tass news agency, he said the number of new HIV cases in Russia is expected to double in five years. As of Nov. 1, Russia had registered 636,976 confirmed HIV cases, including 104,257 who are deceased. The most affected population group is men ages 25-35.

The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.

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