WHO and UNAIDS say 33.4 million worldwide infected with AIDS virus

An estimated 33.4 million people worldwide are infected with the AIDS virus, according to a statement issued by the World Health Organisation and the Joint UN Programme on HIVAIDS (UNAIDS).

That figure is up from 33 million in 2007.

However the report added that more people were living longer due to the availability of HIV drugs.

"The number of AIDS-related deaths has declined by over 10% over the past five years as more people gained access to life saving treatment," it added.