heterosexual intercourse than any other group, the latest figures reveal.

And local experts warn the disease is also striking at younger people with ten percent of new AIDS sufferers aged 25 or less -- which suggests they were infected while still teenagers.

The Health Department statistics were released yesterday just days before Bermuda marks the 11th annual World Aids Day on Tuesday -- to be celebrated in 191 countries around the globe.

In June this year more than 30.5 million men, women and children were living with HIV/AIDS -- with one out of every 100 adults infected.

And the number of sufferers is rising rapidly -- expected to reach between 60 and 70 million within 13 months.

Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Cann said the figures showed the need to be aware that the "AIDS epidemic'' continued despite hopeful new treatment.

This year 12 people in Bermuda have died of AIDS taking the total deaths so far to 330, and 13 new cases have been identified.

Four of the most recent deaths were due to intravenous drug use, four were from homosexual infection and four from heterosexual.

And more than 90 percent of deaths were blacks. This year five new heterosexual cases were identified, compared with three homosexual, three bisexual and only one from intravenous drug use.

And drug users made up 40.7 percent of total cases since the Health Department began keeping a record in the mid-80s, followed by heterosexuals at 23.2 percent, and homosexuals at 21.1 percent.

Dr. Cann said this year World Aids Day was aimed at teenagers who were the group which had experienced the biggest surge of infections.

Worldwide more than 50 percent of all new cases involved people under 25.

"Here in Bermuda about 10 percent of new cases are in their twenties.'' He said awareness campaigns a few years back may have "missed a generation'' and teenagers who had never been the focus of an AIDS campaign were now becoming young adults.

Ten years ago 90 percent of infections in Bermuda were caused by intravenous drug use but that figure was now far less, he said.

"Instead we are seeing an increased percentage occurring as a result of homosexual or heterosexual activities.'' He said past campaigns in Bermuda had focused on heterosexuals so most of the community was aware that AIDS was in no way a "gay disease''.

"Bermuda has gone through that argument and dealt with it but certainly there are still some individuals who don't listen or learn.

"Our education efforts have to be continuous and World AIDS Day is part of that -- we have to keep reminding people about this.'' Activities on Tuesday include the distribution of red ribbons in Hamilton and a candlelight non-denominational service at the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity.