The percentage of HIV infected has come down for the  second successive year from eight per cent in common people in 2009 to five per cent in 2011 (from January to October), according to the statistics available at the office of district health and family welfare. Among pregnant women too, the percentage has dipped from .31 in 2009 to .17 this year.

District health officer Dr S M Malegowda told Deccan Herald, overall 1,718 have been found affected in first 10 months this year, against 1,892 in 2010 and 2,730 in 2009.

Mysore taluk ranks high with 730 people detected positive. It is closely followed by Nanjangud at 138, T Narsipura- 128, Hunsur- 89, H D Kote- 87, Periyapatna and K R Nagar- 59 each.

Migratory population

The doctor attributed the increase in rate of infected in Mysore taluk to migratory population and also number of sex workers. However, the matter of relief here is enough awareness has got deep into the minds of those in the flesh trade. In the case of Nanjangud, the main cause is attributed to the growing number of industries. Of the total 95 pregnant women who delivered this year only five babies are infected, a feat again said the officer. They were diagnosed under polymerised chain reaction (PCR) test.

Two ART centres

The district has two Anti-retro Viral Therapy (ART) centres- one each at K R Hospital and Asha Kirana, a private entity. That apart all the taluks have link ARTs where the infected could be further treated. The officer said slogan for this year is- Bring it to zero. It could be a reality if the people stay loyal to their partners and prefer safe sex using contraceptives in case of more than one partners.