(AFP) Casual sex and drug addiction may spark an explosion of HIV infection locally, a senior health ministry official warned today.

Health Ministry Secretary-General Alias Ali said up to April 2001, 40,049 people were confirmed HIV-infected, with 40 percent aged 13-29.

The government is worried casual sex and drug addiction among young people will lead to an increase in HIV/AIDS cases, he was quoted as saying by Bernama news agency in Kedah.

"These young people should be protected as the country's future depends on them but their present lifestyle exposed them to the risk of HIV infection," he said.

Alias said this group of people were mature physically but not emotionally.

They are curious which makes them willing to take risks, he said.

Alias said the government has launched a program, Prostar, to educate young people about HIV/AIDS.