Washington: Terming HIV/AIDS (Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome) as a "growing threat" in India, a US-based population expert has said most of the general public in the country does not realise the threat.

"There was an estimated five million people living with HIV/AIDS in India in 2002, compared to 1.75 million in 1994. But most of the general public does not see the growing threat," said Carl Haub, population information chair of the Washington-based Population Reference Bureau.

He said about 0.8 per cent of people in India aged between 15 to 49 years had AIDS of HIV, the highest figure in South Asia, and the figure has steadily increased since 1994.

Pointing out that the Indian media has just begun dispelling some of the stigma surrounding AIDS, Haub said many Indians still believe the disease only affects prostitutes and drug users.

Releasing figures showing that Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Manipur and Nagaland accounted for the highest number of AIDS cases, Haub said the epidemic was the main killer in some African countries and India too could experience such a situation if urgent steps are not taken.