PH registers 871 new HIV cases in February

FILE (PNA photo)

MANILA –The Department of Health (DOH) on Friday reported more than 800 new cases of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) last February.

According to the February 2018 HIV/AIDS Registry of the Philippines (HARP) from the DOH’s Epidemiology Bureau, a total of 871 new HIV cases were recorded nationwide during the second month of the year, bringing the total to 1,892 new HIV cases since the start of the year.

“Sixteen percent (135 cases) had clinical manifestations of advanced HIV infection (WHO clinical stage 3 or 4) at the time of diagnosis,” said the DOH report.

A total of 22 deaths were recorded in February.

Sexual contact remains the predominant mode of transmission comprising 841 cases or 97 percent, while 86 percent or 723 cases of newly-diagnosed infections involved males who have sex with males.

The report shows that about one-third or 32 percent (275 cases) were from the National Capital Region; followed by Calabarzon with 15 percent (132 cases); Central Visayas with 10 percent (86 cases); Central Luzon with 9 percent (79 cases); and Western Visayas with 8 percent (67 cases).

Since 1984, the DOH has recorded 52,280 HIV cases in the country, including 5,336 with advanced infection, and 2,511 deaths.(