Laos' health officials say random screening of more than 143,000 people in the country between 1990 and the first half of 2007 shows over 2,400 cases of HIV/AIDS infections, of which 1,523 turned into full-blown AIDS, resulting in 775 deaths.
During the first half of this year alone, there were reportedly 176 full-blown AIDS cases out of 226 new HIV infections, and 44 have died from the disease.
The random screening indicates an increase of 42% among women, and the highest risk group is young people between the age of 20 to 39 years old.
Listen to our Laos Today report for more details in Lao.