LUSAKA, Dec 1 (AFP) - US Secretary for Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson, touring Africa to observe the impact of AIDS, on Monday signed a 2.5-million-dollar grant to Zambia to help it fight the pandemic, officials said.

One in five adult Zambians is estimated to be carrying the virus that causes AIDS.

Thompson is leading an 80-strong delegation on a six-day visit to Zambia, Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya.

The funds will be used to monitor prevention and care programmes, said Zambian Health Minister Brian Chituwo.

Thompson, who arrived in Zambia's tourist town of Livingstone on Sunday, visited hospitals and home-based care centres.

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