HIV has killed 25m and infected 60m so far: UN report

Almost 60 million people have been infected by HIV and 25 million killed by causes related to the virus since the epidemic started, according to new data published by UNAIDS.

While prevention programmes have helped to cut the infection rate by 17% over past eight years,the total number of people living with HIV continued to rise in 2008. By the end of 2008, a total of 33.4 million people or 20 percent more people were living with the epidemic compared to in 2000, The UN figures say.

"The continuing rise in the population of people living with HIV reflects the combined effects of continued high rates of new HIV infections and the beneficial impact of anti-retroviral therapy." said UNAIDS in its report.

Sub-Saharan African remains the most affected region, as it is home to 67% of those living with the human immunodeficiency virus. In south and South-east Asia, 3.8 million people are living with the Infection, added UNAIDS.