Iran Raises HIV/AIDS Estimate Sharply

The Iranian authorities burned 60 tons of illicit drugs on June 26 (epa) June 27, 2006 -- Iran says the number of HIV/AIDS infections in Iran is far higher than previously thought because of a large rise in intravenous drug use.

Iran's deputy health minister, Moayed Alavian, said today that about 40,000 of Iran's intravenous drug users are infected with HIV.


Officials have given a variety of lower estimates in the past, most recently saying that the number of HIV/AIDS cases stood at around 20,000.


(AFP)

RFE/RL Iran Report

RFE/RL Iran Report


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