CEBU, Philippines – At least 32 cases of Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) have been recorded in Talisay City since January this year.
City health officer Dr. Lino Alanzado said the figure is higher compared to last year. He, however, failed to provide the number of cases in 2015.
Alanzado said the number of cases is considered high for the city considering that it has only a population of 200,000. He said that of the 32 HIV positive only 30 of them have been traced and were already given assistance. Alanzado said two remain unaccounted for.
"Kinahanglan makit-an nato kay wala ta kahibalo unsay ilang activity. Basin ni-transfer siya og lain nga lugar unya didto ni-avail og tambal at least pahibalo-a lang mi," Alanzado said.
He said that the 30 others were already placed under a link to care program of the city.
"Link to care, nagpasabot nga nagsige na ug take sa retroviral drugs kay dili man mi ka-provide sa tambal, i-refer sa Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center para makakuha sa tambal unya kung naay laboratory kinahanglanon makig coordinate mi sa Department of Social Welfare and Development," he added.
The ages of the infected individuals range from 18 and above. Alanzado said the virus can be acquired through sexual contact and intravenous drug use through needle sharing.
Based on their investigation, majority of the patients acquired the virus through sexual contacts, especially same-sex intercourse. —/FPL (FREEMAN)