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SHANGHAI: This city reported a record number of new HIV infections last year, according to the municipal public health administration.

There were 718 HIV infections last year, and 53 HIV patients developed AIDS. The number of infections represents a 54 percent increase over the previous year and a record.

Despite the higher figures, the incidence rate of the disease in Shanghai is still lower than the national average, said Cai Wei, vice-director of the municipal public health administration.

Shanghai reported its first HIV infection in 1987. Since then, 2,313 infections had been reported by the end of 2006. One hundred people have died.

Cai attributed the increase to a variety of factors present in the city, including the sex trade and drug addiction. Health authorities have been working to combat the disease, but many underground businesses offering sex services continue to operate in the shadows, making it difficult to compile accurate data.

Health authorities have been working with police to shed light on such businesses. And Shanghai is planning to strengthen its public health system under a three-year plan. The city is also slated to open more methadone clinics for drug users.

"Shanghai is like other larger cities in East China, which have been reporting more HIV transmissions through sexual intercourse in recent years," said an official surnamed Zhuang from the city's disease control center.

"All government departments should be involved," Zhuang said. "HIV is not just an infectious disease, it is a social problem, and fighting it will take coordination from all departments, from legal and educational bodies, to the women's federation and border inspectors."

The city's recently published five-year plan against HIV/AIDS emphasizes government intervention and education. It requires 90 percent of government officials to be trained in how to deal with the disease and calls for most citizens and migrants to receive some sort of education about preventing HIV/AIDS and blood safety.

Sexually transmitted diseases are becoming increasingly common in Shanghai. In March alone, the city reported 935 syphilis cases, accounting for more than a quarter of the new cases of serious infectious diseases in the city .

Health authorities operate three hotlines dealing with HIV/AIDS prevention. They provide information about the disease, expert advice about prevention and medical advice for infected patients.

"The hotlines are effective in spreading information and helping intervention," Zhuang said. "The treatment of AIDS is covered by the city's medical insurance system."

He added that people who are not covered by the system can receive free medication if they apply.

(China Daily 04/14/2007 page3)