Iran Raises HIV/AIDS Estimate Sharply

The Iranian authorities burned 60 tons of illicit drugs on June 26 (epa)

June 27, 2006 -- Iran says the number of HIV/AIDS infections in Iran is far higher than previously thought because of a large rise in intravenous drug use.

Iran's deputy health minister, Moayed Alavian, said today that about 40,000 of Iran's intravenous drug users are infected with HIV.

Officials have given a variety of lower estimates in the past, most recently saying that the number of HIV/AIDS cases stood at around 20,000.

(AFP)