Apathy and ignorance toward HIV could see 50,000 people in London infected with the virus within five years, a report has warned.

The London Assembly today released an investigation into rising HIV levels in the capital, concluding the Government and health agencies are not doing enough to combat the virus.

About 17,000 people were HIV positive in London in 2002, but the report warns this figure could rocket to 50,000 before the end of the decade without concerted work on prevention, treatment and care.

This year alone, more than 7000 people are expected to contract HIV.

"The spread of HIV is reaching alarming proportions, particularly in the capital," said Elizabeth Howlett, chair of the Assembly's health committee.

"It has become clear there is now a deep rooted apathy and indeed ignorance amongst the population over the gravity of this disease and its impact."

Public and political complacency was hindering effective prevention, treatment and care efforts toward HIV, she said.

The report highlights the alarming statistics behind HIV in London with a third of sufferers not knowing they are infected and massive disparities across different boroughs.

Lambeth has 1603 people diagnosed as HIV positive, or 60 cases per 10,000 residents, while Bromley, with a larger population, has 162 sufferers, or 5.5 cases per 10,000 residents.

Much of the increase in people infected with the virus has come from heterosexuals, rather than the gay community or drug users using infected needles.

London's HIV problems are best tackled by increased promotion on the prevention of HIV, and more funding to treat sufferers, the report says.

It also says the role of the Government will be crucial, in terms of encouraging, and funding, a London-wide programme of better education and prevention measures.

The British Medical Association found the costs for average lifetime treatment of an HIV-positive individual are between £135,000 and £181,000, and the value of preventing an individual contracting the virus, in terms of health benefits and treatment costs, is between £500,000 and £1 million.

HIV damages the body's immune system making it harder to fight other illnesses.

Although a person may live for years after contracting it, there is no cure for HIV and no vaccine to stop it being contracted.

The term AIDS is no longer widely used for HIV infected people who have contracted other illnesses.