AIDS Rampant

BBC News, June 21

A new UN report shows that hiv infection is spreading more rapidly than ever, with over 5 million people contracting the disease last year alone. It is spreading most quickly in Eastern Europe and Asia. The report warns that 10 million could be infected in China by 2010. The disease is also spreading unchecked through Africa. hiv infection is now the leading cause of death among military personnel, accounting for more than half the deaths in some African countries’ military or police forces.

Africa is also suffering from a polio outbreak; at least 22 countries are affected, 10 of which were polio-free just a year ago.