Over 9,000 HIV cases recorded from January to October 2017

By Charina Clarisse Echaluce, Manila Bulletin, Jan 6, 2017

More than 9,000 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cases were reported from January to October 2017, latest data from the Department of Health (DOH) revealed.

According to the HIV and AIDS Registry of the Philippines (HARP) report, a total of 9,217 HIV cases were reported from January to October 2017.

Since 1984, there are already 48,839 HIV cases, 4,815 acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) cases, and 2,384 deaths recorded in the country.

October 2017

In October 2017 alone, a total of 918 HIV cases were reported to the HARP. This was 99 cases higher than the 819 recorded in October 2016.

Majority of the cases in October 2017 were from the National Capital Region with 323 cases; followed by Region 4-A with 153, Region 3 with 110, Region 7 with 81, and Region 6 with 72.

There were also 41 deaths from HIV/AIDS reported in October 2017.

Meanwhile, of the newly recorded HIV cases, 129 were full-blown AIDS cases.

Sexual contact

In October 2017, sexual contact continues to be the number one mode of transmission with 833 cases. These were mostly from males having sex with males with 528 cases.

On the other hand, a total of 35 injecting drug users were also recorded as transmitting HIV; and one case of mother-to-child transmission.