The first stage of the HIV epidemic is observed in nine regions of the Russian Federation

This was stated by the head of the specialized research department of Epidemiology and Prevention of AIDS of the Central Research Institute of Epidemiology of Rospotrebnadzor Vadim Pokrovsky during a speech at the Congress on infectious diseases.

According to RIA Novosti, experts distinguish three stages of the HIV epidemic: initial — isolated cases of infection; concentrated — infection of more than 5% of any population group; generalized — infection of more than 1% of pregnant women.

"Nine of our regions are initial, they are mainly small national republics, 48 are concentrated, that is, at least 5%, or even more drug users there are infected with HIV, and 27 (regions) are generalized stage", - Pokrovsky said.

The expert clarified that 10% of prisoners are infected with HIV, and 2.6% of pregnant women are infected in the Irkutsk region.