The acquired immune deficiency syndrome pandemic is a widespread disease caused by the human immunodeficiency virus . Since AIDS was first recognized in 1981, it has led to the deaths of more than 46 million people, making it one of the most destructive diseases in recorded history. Despite recent improved access to antiretroviral treatment and care in many regions of the world, in 2007 the AIDS pandemic killed an estimated 2.1 million people, including 330,000 children. As of 2010, it is estimated that there are 34 million people worldwide living with HIV/AIDS, with 3.4 million new HIV... infections per year and 2.6 million annual deaths due to AIDS. This is due to lack of access to antiretroviral treatment in huge areas such as the continent of Africa, where, according to French researcher Olivier Schwartz, less than 10 percent of infected are reported to have access to it. According to some researchers and institutions the situation is more serious than the UNAIDS figures suggest, the epidemic is accelerating and a second wave is developing .
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