46,032 cases of AIDS have been recorded since the start of the epidemic through June 30, 1997. Of these cases, 62.3% are known to have died. The total number of AIDS cases since the start of the epidemic is estimated to be between 52,000 and 56,000, and the total number of deaths between 33,000 and 36,000. The number of people living with AIDS is estimated to be between 19,000 and 20,500. The number of new AIDS cases diagnosed during the first half of 1997 is estimated at 1,600. The number of deaths among people with AIDS during the same period is estimated at 800. The decline in the number of AIDS cases, which began in 1995 and was sharp in the second half of 1996 (-29% between the two halves of 1996), continued in the first half of 1997, but at a slower rate (-17%) compared to the previous half-year. While in the second half of 1996 the decline in the number of AIDS cases was relatively comparable across the three main at-risk groups, during the first half of 1997 it varied from one group to another. The sharpest decline was observed among injection drug users (-31% compared to the previous half-year). Among people infected through heterosexual contact, the decrease was 21% compared to the second half of 1996. Among homosexuals/bisexuals, the decline slowed (-4% compared to the previous six-month period), (adapted from the text).