20-percent spike in HIV-AIDS cases in May highest in single month

MANILA, Philippines – Health authorities on Thursday reported a 20-percent spike in new cases of HIV/AIDS, or from 153 to 184, the highest number of cases ever reported in a single month. The Department of Health said about a sixth of the cases were returning overseas Filipino workers.

Information from the latest Philippine HIV and AIDS Registry Report showed that of the 184 new cases, two have already progressed into full-blown AIDS cases.

AIDS is the final stage of the HIV disease, when there is severe damage to the body’s immune system, resulting in several complications that may lead to death.

Sexual contact still main culprit

Sexual contact, according to the report, remains the main mode of transmission of AIDS, with 168 cases.

At least 75 cases involved homosexuals in sexual contact; 64 involved bisexual sex activities; and 29, heterosexual sex.

At least 13 individuals were reported to have acquired the virus from injecting drug users (IDUs); while three persons did not report how they got the virus.

Although there were low figures of transmission in IDUs, the DOH finds this aspect of the cases problematic, especially in other areas in the Visayas.

Health Secretary Enrique Ona admitted that they find the IDU cases a complicated matter, since these involve “criminal” aspects.

The DOH conceded it still needs to have a clearer view of the IDU situation in the country.

Meanwhile, 30 of the new cases were found to be among returning or vacationing OFWs, all of whom acquired the virus through sexual contact.

The May cases bring the total for the first five months to 838, including the 12 full-blown AIDS cases.

Since 1984, a total of 6,853 HIV cases have been reported in the Philippines. –Pots de Leon, Interaksyon.com