Although 1 in 9 South Africans, including 1 in 4 adults, is now infected with HIV, South Africa's health minister says there has been a “flattening of the curve over 3 years” and this “begins to suggest that the prevalence of HIV in the population may be stabilizing.” Dr. Manto Tshabalala-Msimang made the comment during a Mar. 20 press conference as her government released its annual AIDS report. The government estimates that 4.7 million South Africans are now infected with HIV, an increase of 500 000 people in the past year. In 2000 the main increase was in women in their 20s, who appear to be ignoring a advertising campaign promoting abstinence and the use of condoms.
Health Canada estimates that 50 000 Canadians have been infected with HIV, with about 4200 new cases being reported annually.