595 fresh HIV positive cases recorded every month in Bihar in 2009

About 595 fresh HIV positive cases are recorded every month in Bihar in 2009 as against zero in the state before 2001, according to the figures of NACO's Integrated Counselling and Testing Centres (ICTC).

With 6550 fresh cases detected in the current year so far, the total number of HIV-infected now stands at 24,835 which is, however, far less than the estimated 82,000, the ICTC report said.

The rise in the positive cases has been registered despite crores of rupees being spent under the HIV Prevention and Treatment Programme. 

On an average National Aids Control Organisation (NACO) spends about Rs22 crore every month in Bihar to contain the spread of the dreaded disease, NACO sources said.