Vigils have been taking place across the planet to mark World AIDS Day, held every December 1 since 1988. The disease has killed more than 25 million people worldwide. Around 33 million people are today suffering from AIDS or HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Luc Montagnier, the scientist who discovered the disease in 1981, believes that despite some progress, the world should not drop its guard.

He said: “The young generations have not lived with the first phase of the disease in which most people, if not all, died of AIDS. Now of course we don’t see as many people dying of AIDS, especially in our countries. But there are still people dying and the situation is not satisfactory because the campaigns of prevention are not followed up by the people.”

As part of an initiative to raise awareness, the European Commission has run a competition to find the best video clip promoting the importance of watching out for damaged condom packages.

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