Win32 Virus Removal

Canadians with HIV/AIDS are allowed to visit the United States as of Monday, after the U.S. lifted its 22-year ban against foreigners infected with the virus.

Since 1987, the ban had restricted people who are HIV positive from immigrating to or visiting the U.S.

At the time, little was known about how HIV was transmitted, and some American politicians believed they could stop the virus from spreading in the U.S. by keeping foreigners with AIDS out of the country.

Washington, D.C., is hosting the 2012 International AIDS Conference — an event made possible with the removal of the ban, U.S. President Barack Obama's administration said.

An estimated 65,000 Canadians were HIV positive in 2008, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada.