AIDS expected to
orphan 25 million children by 2010

HIV and AIDS may leave 25 million children orphaned by 2010, said a prominent African medical expert on Tuesday. Austin Omoigberale released the figures during the Nigerian Medical Association's annual conference in Yenagoa.

Currently, there are 13 million children orphaned by the disease, according to the World Health Organization.

"AIDS accounts for 7.7% of mortality worldwide and 19% in infant mortality," Omoigberale said. "Many children are infected daily with the virus by their mothers in developing countries through mother-to-child transmission during pregnancy, labor, delivery, and breast feeding." (The Advocate)