49 people die of AIDS in Mizoram

At least 89 cases of full-blown AIDS infections have been detected in Mizoram out of which 49 people had died.

At least 89 cases of full-blown AIDS infections have been detected in Mizoram out of which 49 people had died, State Aids Control Society (SCACS) officials said on Friday.

Describing the incidence of aids in the state as alarming, the officials said that the number of deaths due to AIDS in the state preceded only Manipur and Nagaland among the North Eastern states.

The SCACS records said that out of the total 16,983 blood samples tested so far till August, 2004, at least 909 people have been found to be infected with HIV.

Mizoram-Myanmar border Champhai district has the highest number of HIV positive pregnant women while Aizwal district has the highest number of people infected by the dreaded disease through sex.

The officials warned that the incidence of AIDS and people infected with HIV might be much higher than the records as many people had refused to get their blood tested for fear of social stigma and other factors.