Aids-related deaths are at the lowest level since their 2005 peak, down 21%, figures from UNAids suggest.

联合国艾滋病规划署的数据显示，艾滋病死亡率自2005年高峰以来达到最低值，下降了21%。

Globally, the number of new HIV infections in 2010 was 21% down on that peak, seen in 1997, according to UNAids 2011 report.

The organisation¹ says both falls have been fuelled by a major expansion in access to treatment.

Its executive director, Michel Sidibe, said: "We are on the verge² of a significant breakthrough."

He added: "Even in a very difficult financial crisis, countries are delivering results in the Aids response.

"We have seen a massive scale up in access to HIV treatment which has had a dramatic effect on the lives of people everywhere."

'End in sight?'

This latest analysis says the number of people living with HIV has reached a record 34 million.

Sub-Saharan Africa has seen the most dramatic improvement, with a 20% rise in people undergoing treatment between 2009 and 2010.

About half of those eligible³（合格的） for treatment are now receiving it.

UNAids estimates 700,000 deaths were averted⁴ last year because of better access to treatment.

That has also helped cut new HIV infections, as people undergoing care are less likely to infect others.

In 2010 there were an estimated 2.7m new HIV infections, down from 3.2m in 1997, and 1.8m people died from Aids-related illnesses, down from 2.2m in 2005.

The figures continue the downward trend reported in previous UNAids reports.

The UN agency said: "The number of new HIV infections is 30-50% lower now than it would have been in the absence of universal access to treatment for eligible people living with HIV."

Some countries have seen particularly striking improvements.

In Namibia, treatment access has reached 90% and condom use rose to 75%, resulting in a 60% drop in new infections by 2010.

UNAids says the full preventive impact of treatment is likely to be seen in the next five years, as more countries improve treatment.

Its report added that even if the Aids epidemic⁵ was not over: "The end may be in sight if countries invest smartly."