Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2001. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Miami Herald - Tuesday, September 4, 2001
They warned that if China didn't begin to take measures to control the deadly disease that an epidemic would ensue. The only official result of the call for action was criticism of the scientist in charge for causing embarrassment to the government.
But two years and many more cases of HIV infections and AIDS deaths later, the Chinese government is showing more enlightenment. It has asked the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta for help, a rare request for the regime.
The virus is most often found now in China in drug users, those involved in prostitution and people exposed to tainted blood and medical equipment. But after visiting four Chinese provinces, the CDCP representatives warned that HIV is about to move into China's huge general population, which could spell disaster.
By 2010, some 20 million Chinese could be infected, said agency officials. Such a large infection rate would have implications outside China's borders, too. Every new infection creates the potential for several other people to contract HIV.
It's encouraging that China's government finally has lifted the veil from its eyes and recognized that it needs help to fight this killer.
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