ECUADOR: UN Warns of Out-of-Control AIDS Problem in Ecuador's Pacific Coast Region

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2004. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

ECUADOR: UN Warns of Out-of-Control AIDS Problem in Ecuador's Pacific Coast Region

Associated Press (10.19.04) - Wednesday, October 20, 2004
Gonzalo Solano

AIDS is spreading rapidly in Ecuador's most-populated province and could become a national epidemic if left unchecked, UNICEF representative Paul Martin warned Tuesday. "In 10 or 15 years, if there isn't important prevention work, we are going to have a frightening epidemic, starting on the coast and spreading to the entire country," Martin said. "In certain zones on the coast in Guayas the levels of AIDS infections are approaching levels reached 10 years ago by Africa and the Caribbean," he noted.

Ecuador's Health Ministry said there are between 4,800-5,000 reported AIDS cases in the country of 12 million, but that unreported cases could be as high as 50,000. According to Mauricio Valdez, the UN's coordinator in Ecuador, "80 percent of the cases are on the coast in Guayas," which includes Guayaquil, the country's largest city with 3.3 million people.

In recent years, there has been a feminization of HIV/AIDS in Ecuador, said Miguel Machuca, a Pan American Health Organization representative. "In Ecuador's case, the situation is becoming more alarming because of the predominance of infections in women and children. This means the epidemic is advancing out of control," Machuca said.

Martin said UNAIDS has budgeted $14 million to fight HIV/AIDS in Ecuador, but there lacks an expenditure to cover "the slowness on the Ecuadorian side to define the role of programs to fight this epidemic."
041020
AD042147

Copyright © 2004 - Information, Inc., Bethesda, MD. The CDC National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention provides the following information as a public service only. Providing synopses of key scientific articles and lay media reports on HIV/AIDS, other sexually transmitted diseases and tuberculosis does not constitute CDC endorsement. This daily update also includes information from CDC and other government agencies, such as background on Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) articles, fact sheets, press releases and announcements. Reproduction of this text is encouraged; however, copies may not be sold, and the CDC HIV/STD/TB Prevention News Update should be cited as the source of the information. Contact the sources of the articles abstracted below for full texts of the articles.

AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted grants from Boehringer Ingelheim, Elton John AIDS Foundation, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, the National Library of Medicine, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2004. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 2004. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .