Hagigat Gadirova: This decease is mostly transmitted sexually...

A seminar on "Role of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection in prevention, treatment and measures to promote universal social support in HIV infection, AIDS in Azerbaijan" was held in Baku today.

Official of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection Elnur Sultanov said this year's 99th session of the International Labour Organization, the countries made recommendations to combat AIDS. The ministry is taking measures in line with recommendations.

Director of the National Center for Combating AIDS Hagigat Gadirova noted that the first information about of HIV infection was first spread on June 5, 1981. In 1988, the UN announced on December 1 World AIDS Day.

According to the director of the center, this disease is mostly transmitted sexually. Tattooing and ear piercing can also serve as a source of infection. Gadirova noted that as a result of measures taken worldwide incidence of infection and death from the disease has reduced. The situation with regard to contracting the disease has remained stable in Azerbaijan over the past 3 years.

"But this does not suit us. In Eastern Europe, including Azerbaijan, there is still a growth of this disease. But the level of HIV virus is low in Azerbaijan among CIS countries. "

There are more than 2 thousand people with HIV-virus in Azerbaijan, she said.

Currently, 554 are infected people at the stage of AIDS in Azerbaijan. A total of 318 people have died from AIDS in the  coutry so far. This disease is mostly caught at the age 19-50 years, representing 92% of HIV-infected people in general.

Some 64% of the infected citizens of Azerbaijan were infected through drug use. "Most infection cases are found in Shirvan, Hajigabul, Lankaran, Sumgait and Astara,” she added.


/Vesti.az/