The number of people in Asia infected with HIV could jump by nearly 8 million by 2020 unless more is done to fight the spread of the virus that causes AIDS, according to a report Wednesday presented to the U.N. secretary-general. The increase could be limited to 3 million if a response program is adopted immediately, said the report from the Commission on AIDS in Asia. Almost 5 million people are currently infected with HIV in Asia, with 44,000 people dying each year, the report said. The annual death toll will rise to about 500,000 by 2020 without a rapid response, the report said. “By implementing the recommendations of the commission, Asian countries can avert massive increases in infections and death, prevent economic losses, and save millions of people from poverty,” U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a statement. AIDS is the most likely cause of death and lost work days among 15-to44-year-olds in Asia, the commission said. It recommended an annual investment of 30 cents to 50 cents per person on focused prevention programs. By spending $1 per person, the countries can implement a broader approach, including treatment. “The findings of this report demonstrate the diversity of the AIDS epidemics in Asia and the need for countries to understand what is driving their epidemics and how to reach populations most at risk of HIV infection,” said Peter Piot, director of the Joint U.N. Program on HIV/AIDS.
