HIV/AIDS cases rising in Caraga region – DOH

BUTUAN CITY – Health officials in the Caraga region sounded the alarm anew on the rising number of Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) cases in the region.

The Department of Health (DOH)–Caraga office said the biggest problem area in the region is Agusan del Norte, where individuals as young as 15 and as old as 50 years old and above have tested positive for the dreaded disease.

DOH-Caraga Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit said the number of HIV/AIDS cases in the region has risen to 10 in July this year.

A total of 55 new HIV/AIDS cases were reported in the region from January to July 2015.

Five new cases have been recorded in Agusan del Norte in July this year while three new cases were recorded in Surigao del Norte, one in Agusan del Sur and one in Surigao del Sur.

Majority or 90 percent of HIV/AIDS patients are males. Fifty percent of the patients are in the 15-24 age group.

One HIV/AIDS–related death was reported last July, DOH–Caraga officials disclosed.

DOH Regional Assistant Director Dr. Cesar C. Cassion warned sexually active individuals to refrain from having multiple sexual partners, one of the precautionary measures against HIV/AIDS infection.

“Everyone, especially sexually active individuals must take extra precautionary measures to prevent getting infected by this dreaded disease,” Cassion told the Manila Bulletin.

He added that those infected with HIV AIDS are now receiving treatment at various hospitals in undisclosed places in the region.