AIDS is considered the most lethal infectious disease in the world, and its incidence is growing rapidly.
Globally, an estimated >33 million people are infected, >2.7 million are infected yearly, >2 million are dying annually and 68 million are projected to die by 2020. In the USA, over one million people are infected. Over 10 million are infected in each of India and China. It is estimated that sub-Sahara African populations have over 25 million people infected with AIDS virus. The incidence of European and especially Eastern European cases of AIDS is increasing. (World Health Organization, 2007 Report)
Vaccine sales' estimates exceed $3.8 billion per year over 30 years for a safe and effective vaccine designed to prevent clinical signs of AIDS. (IAVI Policy Research Working Paper, October 2007)