The Kelantan state assembly was today told that the transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) sexually in the state was very worrisome among teenagers and adults.

Women, family and health state committee chairperson Wan Ubaidah Omar said Kelantan now has 749 HIV cases, an increase from the previsously reported cases.

aids and sadness red ribbonShe said for cases of new infection among Kelantanese aged 20-29 years there was a 25 percent increase, while for the 30-39 years age group the increase was 42 percent.

"In 2003 HIV infection through injections was 70 percent but in 2008 it fell to 53 percent.

"The spread of HIV in Kelantan now, apart from injection, was now from sexual activity. In 2008 it was 27 percent compared to 19 per cent the year before," she said in reply to Zulkifli Mamat (PAS-Pulai Chondong) in the state assembly sitting.

Wan Ubaidah said the state government took various measures to elevate awareness among the people about the dangers of HIV including mandatory screening for HIV for couples intending to marry.

Prayer sessions to prevent H1N1

She said the state government also took proactive steps to prevent the spread of the Influenza A(H1N1) virus following 346 positive cases with one death in Kelantan.

She said her committee had opened a epidemic operations room in April last year, had 226 awareness 'ceramah', 203 briefings, 266 awareness advertisements over radio, 163 exhibitions, gave vaccine to 11,378 people and had held prayers to prevent the spread of the virus.

Meanwhile, the chairperson of the agriculture, rural industries and biotechnology committee, Che Abdullah Mat Nawi, said the state government was now exploring organic padi growing with an allocation of RM200,000 to have larger profits from padi planting.

"Through organic padi planting there is no need for chemicals including fertiliser, insecticide and the like to save costs," he said in reply to Omar Mohamad (PAS-Perupok).

He said the average yield for padi output for Kelantan rose from 3.89 metric tonnes in 2007 to 4.26 metric tonnes in 2008.

- Bernama