Health Ministry data shows that by February 10 2006, 605 officials HIV/AIDS cases have been registered in Bulgaria.

Nearly 69 per cent of the infected people are men and the majority are aged between 20 and 39, Bulgarian National Radio reported.

Most of the registered people come from bigger cities. The new cases for 2005 are 83.

Three new cases have already been registered since the beginning of 2006. Twelve HIV-positive Bulgarians have died since 1987.

Many people use the services of the anonymous HIV-testing rooms throughout the country, Darik Radio reported. Since the beginning of 2006, the Varna testing room served 650 people.

Patients can refrain from informing their doctor, in case they are HIV-positive. Medics are obliged to work with all patients according to Bulgarian law and cannot deny service to HIV-positive individuals.