RIO DE JANEIRO, July 27 (Xinhuanet) -- The World Health Organization (WHO) Wednesday expressed its anxiety over the rapid spread of AIDS in Asia and called for the reinforcement of preventative measures and decisive governmental support.

    Dr. Jim Yong Kim, director of the WHO's HIV/AIDS department, mentioned his concerns during the third International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment, which opened here on Sunday and draws experts from 125 countries.

    With more populations at risk today, a higher risk of increasing genetic combinations of the HIV virus exists. Further genetic combinations would make it more difficult to fight against this deadly epidemic, said the director.

    "Our greatest fear is that, if the evolution of the epidemic continues at the present level, Asia will tomorrow be something similar to Africa, a great human disaster," said Kim.

    In light of this alarming situation, it becomes necessary to increase efforts in prevention work in which governments play a key role, said the official.

    Kim added that contrary to prevalent opinion, Islam does not constitute an obstacle for the adoption of adequate preventive measures and said that Iran nowadays boasts one of the most efficient prevention programs in all of Asia. Enditem