HIV cases in PHL hit record high last May

THE number of new human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cases in the country hit its highest level last May since records began in 1984.

Figures from the latest HIV and Aids Registry of the Philippines (HARP) report revealed that 1,098 were found to be carrying the virus last May.

“This is the highest recorded cases ever since 1984,” said the report.

The previous highest monthly figure was the 968 recorded last March.

The May 2017 figure is 48 percent higher compared to same period last year, which was at 741.

The latest figure also revealed that 140 cases of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (Aids) were reported last May, bringing to 4,181 the total number of confirmed cases reported since 1984.

The report also revealed that 15 deaths from HIV/Aids reported in two months ago, bringing to 2,156 the number of deaths due to the virus.

From January to May 2017, the Department of Health has reported a total of 4,388 new HIV cases, including 516 Aids cases, and 187 deaths.

The Department of Health (DOH) said that sexual contact (1,068 cases) continues to be the number one mode of transmission, while men having sex with men recorded 918 cases.

Eighty-four overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) were also found to be carrying the virus, all of them were infected through sexual contact.

Among the news cases, 558 were infected through homosexual contact, 360 via bisexual contact, and 150 by heterosexual contact.

Twenty-seven cases by injecting drugs, three involved babies infected by their mothers.

Majority of the cases were recorded in the Metro Manila with 404; followed by Calabarzon (155 cases); Central Luzon (108); Central Visayas (98 cases), and Davao Region (60 cases). (HDT/SunStar Philippines)