KATHMANDU (Xinhua): HIV and AIDS is posing a threat in Nepal, according to National Center for AIDS and STD Control ( NCASC), The Rising Nepal reported on Tuesday.

Approximately 13,000 cases of HIV/AIDS have been recorded across the country, said the daily.

The latest NCASC report "Cumulative HIV and AIDS Situation of Nepal" stated that there are approximately 12,600 HIV cases out of which around 2,000 people suffer from AIDS.

Though these figures are official, various organizations informed The Rising Nepal that there were no exact figures because not every case in the country has been recorded.

President of "Children for Green New Nepal" Bijay Prajapati stated that the exact number of cases is not known because victims of HIV and AIDS themselves do not know it and the ones that do not want others to know about it because of the social stigma they will have to live with.

"The youth should be aware of how to prevent the spread of the disease and learn to treat victims of HIV/AIDS as equals. It is important for sufferers to receive medical assistance to overcome the disease and live a normal life. But as long as we do not overcome the social stigma related to the disease and treat these people as equals they will never feel comfortable to talk about their problems and will be deprived of medical help," he said.