May sets record for highest number of HIV cases — DOH

MANILA — May was a record month for reported new cases of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) with 1,098, the highest number recorded in a month since 1984, the Department of Health (DOH) said Tuesday.

Based on the HIV/AIDS Registry of the Philippines, the latest figure was 48 percent higher compared to the same period last year, with 741 cases.

The figure topped the previous high of 968 new HIV cases recorded last March.

HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system, the body’s natural defense system. Over time, it leads to the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Of the 1,098 new cases, 140 had developed into full-blown AIDS.

There were 15 deaths from HIV/AIDS reported in May.

The regions with the highest number of cases reported in May were the National Capital Region with 404 cases; followed by Calabarzon with 155 cases; Central Luzon, with 108; Central Visayas, 98 cases; and Davao region, 60 cases.

Sexual contact remains to be the main mode of transmission with 1,068, most of which are from the male-having-sex-with-male (MSM) population with 918.

Homosexual contact had the highest number with 558, followed by the bisexual contact with 360, while heterosexual contact led to 150 cases.

Injecting drug use accounted for 27 new cases, while there were three cases of mother-to-child transmission.

A total of 84 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) were also found to have acquired HIV/AIDS, all of whom were infected through sexual contact.

The latest figures brought to 4,388 the total number of HIV cases reported in the country from January to May this year, which included 516 AIDS cases, and 187 deaths.

Since 1984, 44,010 HIV cases have been reported in the country, including 4,181 AIDS cases, and 2,156 deaths.