HIV Infection
Rate Drops in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe has registered a 2.5% decline in its HIV infection rate, and the number of AIDS deaths also is dropping, the government said Thursday, crediting its ''tireless efforts'' to fight the pandemic.

Quoting figures it said were verified by the United Nations, the Ministry of Health said the HIV rate dropped from 18.1% in people aged 15 to 49 years last year to 15.6% this year.

AIDS deaths also have decreased, down to 2,214 a week from around 2,500 a week, according to the new statistics.

A researcher at London's Imperial College who helped work on the figures said the trends presented were as accurate as possible given the available data, according to college spokeswoman Laura Gallagher. The UNAIDS agency was not immediately available for comment. (AP)