KABUL, July 9 (Xinhua) -- The spread of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) has been on rise in the conservative Islamic society of Afghanistan as over 400 cases have been reported so far, Afghan Public Health Ministry said Wednesday.

    "So far 435 HIV positive cases have been reported from different sources," the ministry said in a press release, adding that there are estimated 2000-2500 HIV positive cases nationwide.

    However, the press release said the prevalence of HIV in Afghanistan is currently considered low.

    The ministry said the three decades of war poverty, illiteracy, massive internal and external displacement, high level of poppy cultivation, drug trafficking and usage, existence of commercial and unsafe sex, unsafe injection practices and blood transfusion are potential risk factors for the spread of HIV and AIDS.

    It also said that the World Bank at the request of Afghan health ministry has granted 10 million U.S. dollars to enhance efforts for upgrading the awareness about HIV and AIDS and to reduce discrimination against people living with HIV and AIDS in the country.