Increase in recorded AIDS cases in Solomons

11/07/2008 08:03:19

Solomon Islands has had an increase in reported cases of HIV infection.

Pacific Correspondent Campbell Cooney reports, however, there are still concerns about the number of unreported cases.

Officially Solomon Islands has 11 recorded cases of HIV/Aids: seven women and four men.

But the co-ordinator of the Solomons' STI and HIV National Campaign, Isaac Muliloa, says they know there are many more cases, which haven't been reported.

"Maybe 300 to 250 people still around, undetected," he told Radio Australia.

Solomon Islands has begun a free HIV/Aids screening program, but the stigma attached to the infection means many aren't using it.

The Solomons' neighbour, Papua New Guinea has well over 100,000 reported cases of HIV/Aids.

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