HANOI, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- HIV infections and AIDS deaths seem to be increasing in Laos, Lao newspaper Vientiane Times on Monday quoted a local health official as saying.

    Deputy Minister of Public Health, Khamhoung Heuangvongsy, said the 2006 statistics indicated that 470 HIV/AIDS patients sought treatment at hospitals nationwide, and the figure is 870 now.

    The increase of cases in Laos was mainly due to small-scale HIV/AIDS campaigns which did not reach communities in remote areas, coupled with the increasing number of high-risk entertainment venues, he said.

    "Laos has a lower HIV infection rate compared with other countries, but we still need to maintain awareness of the disease and ensure people know how to prevent it and protect themselves in high-risk situations," the deputy minister said.

    He urged officials to increase their campaigns among young people and high-risk groups about the dangers of the disease.