11 December 2012 | last updated at 08:25AM
By OLIVIA MIWIL | olivia@nst.com.my
1991-2011: Those infected had multiple sex partners or were drug addicts
LAHAD DATU : SABAH registered 185 deaths linked to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) between 1991 and last year.
During the 20-year period, another 1,347 people tested positive with HIV while another 453 people tested positive for AIDS
Silam member of parliament Salleh Kalbi said those who contracted the virus either had multiple sex partners or shared contaminated needles.
"Last year, the highest number of cases were found in Kota Kinabalu with 59 HIV and 30 AIDS cases.
"This was followed by Tawau with 27 HIV and 15 AIDS; Sandakan with 18 HIV and 7 AIDS; and Lahad Datu with one case each for both," he said at the state-level World Aids Day here on Sunday.
Present was state health director Dr Christina Rundi, who said there was a possibility of cases going undetected in the state as HIV screening among the general population was not mandatory.
"Many activities had been planned to achieve zero infection of HIV and AIDS.
"These include roadshows, seminars, radio broadcasts and even HIV screening for premarital couples."
The theme for the World Aids Day celebration from 2011 to 2015 is "Getting to Zero".
It is held annually on December 1 to unite people in fighting against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died.
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