BANGLI

The spread of HIV-AIDS in Bangli is continuing, according to health officials.

Dr Dewa Made Siangan, head of the Bangli Health Department, called for public vigilance to stop the spread of the disease.

“The 38 cases that occurred in 2009 became 48 cases in 2010,” he said, adding that a total of 52 cases had been registered by July this year.

“As many as seven people have died in the past year,” he said, adding that the real number of both cases and deaths in the regency was probably much higher.

Many cases were only first recorded when the sufferer presented with very late-stage symptoms of immune deficiency, he said.

Siangan said the identities and locations of the registered sufferers were confidential, but most cases are in Kintamani and Susut.

“The existence of HIV-AIDS is very confidential, since this is part of the code of ethics and human rights. However, the increase in patients with this disease must be addressed, and the whole of society must be alert to the issue,” he said.