An estimated 39.5 M people are living with HIV, latest figures published in the UNAIDS/WHO 2006 AIDS Epidemic Update show.

There were 4.3 M new infections in 2006 with 2.8 million of these occurring in sub Saharan Africa and important increases in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, where there are some indications that infection rates have risen by more than 50% since 2004. In 2006, 2.9 M people died of AIDS-related illnesses.

New data suggest that where HIV prevention programmes have not been sustained as epidemics have changed, infection rates in some countries are staying the same or going back up. In North America and Western Europe, HIV prevention programmes have often not been sustained and the number of new infections has remained the same.

Similarly in low and middle-income countries, there are only a few examples of countries that have actually reduced new infections. And some countries that had showed earlier successes in reducing new infections have either slowed or are now experiencing increasing infection rates.

"This is worrying, as we know increased HIV prevention programmes in these countries have shown progress in the past, Uganda being a prime example. This means that countries are not moving at the same speed as their epidemics," said UNAIDS Executive Director Dr. Peter Piot.

The AIDS pandemic is a series of epidemics involving different groups at high risk like prostitutes, drug users and homosexuals. Because different groups may become infected at different rates and stages of the epidemic, each country needs to know its situation.

Precise statistics are not available, because many countries lack adequate disease surveillance systems, sufficient trained workers, laboratories, supply systems and money to keep HIV-infected people alive, officials said.

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