Luena — At least twenty people out of 2,521 cases of HIV/AIDS died of the disease in 2007 in eastern Moxico province, said Tuesday in Luena the provincial director of health, Ernesto Muangala.

Speaking to Angop, the official added that there were reported six deaths in 2006.

He said that in the first quarter of the current year the local health authorities have registered two AIDS-related deaths and reported 39 new cases of HIV positive people, out of 941 people who were tested and counselled.

Mr Muangala assured that HIV/AIDS patients have been administered with antiretroviral therapy.

In order to reinforce the fight against the deadly disease, the eastern province of Moxico gained, in the last half of 2007, a mobile HIV/AIDS testing and counselling unit.