Rates of infection are highest in Central America and Brazil, where the disease is mainly spread through heterosexual sex. The spread of HIV through the sharing of injecting drug equipment is of growing concern in several countries, notably Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay.

People with HIV:	1.5m
New HIV cases in 2002:	150,000
Deaths from Aids in 2002:	60,000
Children (under 15) with Aids by end of 2002:	45,000
Source: UNAIDS, 2002

Aids deaths in 2001
Brazil:	8,400
Colombia:	5,600
Guatemala:	5,200
Mexico:	4,200
Source: UNAIDS, 2002

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