1999 HIV infections likely to show increase

PHUKET: Based on preliminary figures for 1999, Phuket’s health chief believes the number of people diagnosed as HIV-positive will be significantly higher than the 283 diagnosed in 1998. If Dr Boonrieng Chuchaisangrat’s preliminary figures are accurately reflected in the final statistics, the number of HIV infections per 100,000 people in Phuket at the end of 1999 will put the island in fourth place in Thailand’s HIV infections league table. Based on the preliminary estimates, 109.1 people out of every 100,000 in Phayao province has HIV. The figure for Chiang Rai is 80.3; for Rayong it is 70.7; and for Phuket, 65.7.