Updated on Tuesday, April 08, 2008, 00:00 IST

Aizawl, April 08: At least 150 of the 235 people identified as having AIDS have died in Mizoram since 1990, a meeting of legislators forum on HIV/AIDS was told.

The legislators were told yesterday that out of 50,042 people whose blood samples had been taken for tests, 2,497 were found to be HIV positive, Mizoram State Aids Control Society (MSACS) officials said.

HIV/AIDS infection mainly takes place due to sexual contact with an HIV positive person, followed by drug abuse and was transmitted to children through their pregnant mothers. the legislators were urged to take up the issue in their respective constituencies as the dreaded disease struck people in the age group of 24 to 35, comprising the major work force of the state, which would have an adverse effect on the economy of Mizoram.

The state legislators' forum was constituted in 2005 and the state council on aids was constituted last year.

Bureau Report