AIDS . . . TAKING ITS TOLL ON ASIA

Three million new cases of HIV infection developed during the last year, the largest number reported in any 12-month period. The gloomy stats were given at the 10th International AIDS Conference in Yokohama, where much of the attention is focused on the Asian epidemic, which accounted for one-third of all new cases. On the brink of mass infection, say health officials: India, Thailand and Burma. The disease is reported to have plateaued in many Western countries, including the U.S. Worldwide, the disease has infected 17 million.