Guwahati: Assam has become vulnerable to
AIDS because of the expanding sex-network in the state, a top
health department official said here on Monday.
Migrants from Nepal, West Bengal and some north eastern
states are often forced to join the flesh trade...Unsafe sex
by truck drivers, migrant workers, tourists, refugees settled
in relief camps and a section of security personnel have
exposed the state to AIDS, health secretary V S Bhaskar told
reporters.
Inflow of drug addicted students from neighbouring states
was another reason for the spread of the disease, he said.
Till November one, Assam has 991 AIDS cases and 3,835 HIV
carriers, but the situation might deteriorate if proper action
is not taken immediately, Bhaskar said.
Of the 991 AIDS patients, 248 are women, 15 homosexuals
and 40 drug addicts, he said.
PTI
First Published: Monday, November 30, 2009, 20:19