GENEVA: Aids is spreading almost unchecked in many parts of the world

and spending to slow its progress must be increased 20 times, the World

Health Organisation warned yesterday. In a new report to mark World Aids

Day tomorrow, the UN health agency calls for money for prevention

campaigns in developing countries to be increased to #1700m from about

#80m spent last year. WHO estimates that up to 40 million people will be

infected with the HIV virus, which causes Aids, by the end of the

century. Dr Michael Merson, director of WHO's global programme on Aids,

said: ''We are seeing increases in parts of Asia the same as we had in

Africa eight to 10 years ago. The battle is going to be won or lost in

Asia.''