296 HIV INFECTED REPORTED IN ARMENIA AS OF NOV 1

ArmenPress
Nov 22 2004

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 22, ARMENPRESS: On the international day of HIV/AIDS
on Dec 1, USAID funded Academy for Educational Development Armenia
office, UN, World Vision Armenia office and the national center for
HIV/AIDS prevention will organize a concert in the big hall after
Aram Khachatrian to pay respect to people who died of HIV/AIDS and
advocate prevention measures. This year runs under the motto Women,
Girls: HIV/AIDS Prevention, taking into consideration the high rate of
the disease reported among women and their vulnerability to infection.

There were 296 HIV cases in Armenia as of Nov 1, 280 of who were
the citizens of Armenia. Among the infected, 217 were men and 63
women. Four cases have been reported with children.

HIV is mainly transmitted in Armenia through intravenous injection
of drugs and heterosexual sex. If by 1999, transmission through
heterosexual sex prevailed over drug injection, infection from the
last considerably increased during the last year. All infected through
drug injection have been men. Most of the infected are from Yerevan,
with number two rating in Lori. AIDS have been detected among 50 of
HIV carriers. Since the first AIDS reports in Armenia, 42 fatal cases
have been reported with HIV/ AIDS, 8 of which only this year.

The Academy for Educational Development sources said that prominent
Armenian singers will take part in the action concert, including
Alla Levonian, Andre, Zaruhi Babaian, Arsen Grigorian, Aramo, Emma
Petrossian, Theater of Soul and Dance of Sofi Devoian, Nane Dance
Club other leading performers. Expected is the participation of
top Armenian officials, US ambassador to Armenia, UN, World Bank
and representatives of other international organizations. Thirteen
addresses will be made during the concert summarizing the recent
achievements in fight against HIV/AIDS, statistics and prevention
measures. Information leaflets will be distributed during the event.