MANILA, Feb. 17 (Xinhua) -- The World Health Organization (WHO)on Tuesday warned that the HIV/AIDS epidemic may take a major turn for the worse in Asia unless countries urgently expand access to services to men who have sex with men.

    Asia is believed to have 10 million men having sex with men, the largest number in the world, said a press release issued by the Manila-based WHO Western Pacific Regional Office, but the targeted prevention interventions are reaching only 1 percent of the population in this particular high-risk group.

    WHO said evidence shows that unprotected male-to-male sex is again fueling the spread of HIV in the region.

    Men who have sex with men have been identified as one of the most-at-risk populations for HIV/AIDS, WHO said, adding that for example the risk of infection by men who have sex with men in China is 45 times higher than for men in general.

    "Studies show that at present, the proportion of HIV infections being transmitted among men who have sex with men is larger and more significant than we had originally believed," said Dr Massimo Ghidinelli, WHO Regional Adviser in HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections.

    Ghidinelli said better access to HIV intervention services should be provided to this high-risk group, which accounts for a major increase in the region's HIV/AIDS cases.

    WHO said the lack of better access to HIV/AIDS services can be traced to the stigma and discrimination associated with male-to-male sex, which is frowned upon in some societies. In addition, discrimination prevents men who have sex with men from disclosing their sexual orientation or utilizing HIV services, resulting in increased vulnerability.

    In response, WHO is calling for a regional meeting in Hong Kong from Feb. 18 to 20 to address the issue. HIV/AIDS specialists from Asian governments, regional experts and representatives from non-government organizations are expected to attend the conference.