China announces HIV prevention plan

The Chinese government on Sunday announced "urgent measures" to prevent the spread of HIV in the country where as many as 1 million people are already infected with the virus, The New York Times reports. A 12-page circular from the State Council, China's cabinet, ordered all local health officials in the country, to establish AIDS prevention and treatment working committees, called for the immediate inclusion of HIV prevention information in school curricula, and stressed expanding HIV prevention programs from urban to rural areas. The circular also said, "Those officials breaching duty or hiding epidemic reports will be severely punished." Wu Yi, a deputy prime minister and the government's point person on AIDS issues, also called for a crackdown on prostitution and illegal blood sales in the country in order to prevent HIV infections.