Saudi Arabia had over 18,700 Aids cases

Saudi Arabia has detected more than 18,700 Aids cases since the killer disease began spreading through the region in early 1980s.

Health ministry figures showed 1,233 new cases of the Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome were discovered this year, including 431 Saudi citizens.

The ministry said most of the cases reported this year were caused by “illegitimate” sexual intercourse and drug abuse.

“The total Aids cases discovered in Saudi Arabia have reached 18,762 since 1984…they include 5,348 Saudis and 13,414 expatriates,” it said.

The report showed 414 Saudi Aids victims this year had the infection through sexual intercourse while 2.5 per cent contracted it through drug needles. The remaining 1.5 per cent involved infants infected by their mothers during pregnancy.

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