Uruguay controls spread of AIDS virus

MONTEVIDEO, Dec. 1 (Chinese media) -- Uruguay has effectively controlled the

spread of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), showed a research released by

the country's health authorities said Monday, the World AIDS Day.

The research said the HIV prevalence has fell to 0.43 percent of the

national population, with less than one person being diagnosed with HIV

infection daily.

The reduction is a result of the country's sexual transmission diseases

prevention campaign, director of the national STD program Maria Luz Osimani told

the press.

Currently 10,996 people, mostly aged between 15 and 44, in Uruguay know

they have HIV. The country has a population of 3.4 million.

HIV infection is concentrated in the most vulnerable groups, like sexual

workers, homosexuals and people prevented from their freedom, the research said.

Osimani said that the implementation of a single register of HIV carriers,

a sustained campaign by the mass media and intervention in the most vulnerable

populations are "future challenges."