AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) has been detected so far in 23 Israelis of whom 13 have died, the Director General of the Health Industry, Dan Michaeli, reported at an international conference on infectious diseases here yesterday.
He said nine of the cases were detected during the past year, an alarming rise over the previous year. Fifteen of the victims were homosexuals infected while in the U.S., Holland and France. Three Israeli homosexuals with AIDS have gone overseas for treatment. One AIDS patient left an Israeli hospital and apparently abandoned treatment. He is believed still in the country.
AIDS is invariably fatal and so far no cure has been found. It is a venereal disease transmitted mainly by male homosexual contact. Women can be infected by contact with males carrying the virus. Prof. Michaeli told the conference that he knew of an Israeli prostitute who discovered during a medical checkup that she has AIDS but because she does not yet show symptoms she was not hospitalized and continues to work.
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