Three people infected with the HIV virus have died. Five others, known to have also contracted the virus last year, are under medical observation.

The Minister for Health, Clay Soalaoi, stated that it is often difficult to know the exact number as it is purely voluntary testing. "It is important to know that these cases are not new ones, they are from last year alone" Soalaoi stated. "The other five confirmed cases are living normal lives, that's the risk posed by HIV.very difficult to tell"

A spokesman from the central hospital stated that ignorance is a huge problem. "People in town are always shocked to hear people die from HIV, the reality is the numbers of HIV infected persons, particularly in Honiara, is very high" the spokesman said.