339 new HIV cases recorded in February

MANILA — The Department of Health (DOH) has recorded 339 new human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cases last February, a few notches lower than the 380 recorded a month earlier.

According to the DOH–National Epidemiology Center (DOH-NEC), the February report was 24 percent higher compared to the same period last year at 274.

Out of the 339 new HIV cases, the DOH said 23 have been found to having progressed into full-blown acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (Aids).

The new cases mentioned in the February 2013 Philippine HIV and Aids Registry report bring to 719 the new HIV cases this year with 48 of them already developed to full-blown Aids cases.

Since 1984, there have been 12,421 HIV cases in the country with Aids cases already numbering to 1,217.

All new HIV cases last February were acquired through sexual contact with 279 cases still coming from the males-having-sex-with male (MSM) accounting for 82 percent.

Homosexual contact resulted to 176 new cases, followed by bisexual contact with 103, and heterosexual contact with 60.

As for overseas Filipino worker (OFW) sector, it was also found to have contributed 45 new HIV cases with all coming from sexual contact.

The report detailed that there were 11 from heterosexual contact, 19 homosexual, and 15 bisexual, where OFWs acquired HIV. (HDT/Sunnex)