Rome (Fides Service) - Ethiopia, like most of Africa, is in the grip of AIDS. According to official statistics one thousand people are infected each day and more than three of the country’s 65 million people are HIV+. However many say these figures are on the optimistic side and that infection rates are much higher in cities due to uncontrolled urbanisation and absolute lack of infrastructures and the ensuing ever more widespread poverty.
In 2001, when more than 250,000 children under 14 lost one or both parents, some 989,000 people died of AIDS.
The government has launched information campaigns but the virus continues its course showing alarming signs of acceleration. (AP) (29/9/2004 Agenzia Fides; Righe:14; Parole:147)