May 23, Colombo: Sri Lanka Ministry of Health figures identified 24 new AIDS patients within three months, ringing alarm bells in the third world country where the control of the disease is internationally commended.

The latest findings increased the 2006 December total of AIDS patients in the country from 838 to 862 by the end of March 2007. With the identification of another AIDS afflicted child, the country’s total of child AIDS patients has risen to 27, Ministry of Health sources said.