The department of health repeated this warning on Thursday, a day after former deputy president Jacob Zuma said taking a shower after having unprotected sex with an HIV-positive woman lessened the risk of contracting the virus.

However, the department's spokesperson, Sibani Mngadi, refused to be drawn into the furore sparked by Zuma's remarks in court.

Outraged organisations working in HIV and Aids prevention said the statements by Zuma, who also chaired the South African National Aids Council, had put back their work in Aids awareness by at least 15 years.

On Thursday the Democratic Alliance also added its voice to the growing chorus of voices, calling for "damage control".

The party's health spokesperson, Dianne Kohler-Barnard, called on Health Minister Manto Tshabalala- Msimang to act "quickly and convincingly" to give South Africans the real information on how the disease was spread.

"During this trial, high-profile media attention has been given to statements by the former deputy president that would be life-threatening to anyone who took them seriously," said Kohler-Barnard.

Mngadi said the department would be intensifying its Aids campaign.

He said a World Health Organisation meeting of African countries had adopted 2006 as the year to accelerate the Aids prevention strategy.

"We need to assist people to make correct decisions, but ultimately it is an individual's responsibility."

On Thursday the Democratic Alliance also added its voice to the growing chorus of voices, calling for "damage control".

The party's health spokesperson, Dianne Kohler-Barnard, called on Health Minister Manto Tshabalala- Msimang to act "quickly and convincingly" to give South Africans the real information on how the disease was spread.

"During this trial, high-profile media attention has been given to statements by the former deputy president that would be life-threatening to anyone who took them seriously," said Kohler-Barnard.

Mngadi said the department would be intensifying its Aids campaign.

He said a World Health Organisation meeting of African countries had adopted 2006 as the year to accelerate the Aids prevention strategy.

"We need to assist people to make correct decisions, but ultimately it is an individual's responsibility."

This article was originally published on page 5 of The Star on April 07, 2006