DOH: HIV cases in first half 2012 surpass entire 2010 record
With 295 new human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cases recorded last June, there are now more HIV cases in the first half of 2012 than the entire 2010, a health official said over the weekend.
National Epidemiology Center head Dr. Enrique Tayag said the 295 new HIV cases in June brought to 1,600 the number of HIV cases in the country.
In posts on his Twitter account, Tayag noted: "(There were) 295 new HIV (cases) in June, bringing the total for the year to 1,600 – already surpassing the total number in 2010 which was 1,591."
This prompted a lawmaker to push anew for the passage of a law that would combat HIV/AIDS. HIV is the virus that causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
LPGMA party list Rep. Arnel Ty voiced alarm the new HIV infections doubled in a 24-month period.
“New HIV infections have doubled over the last 24 months, considering that in the first semester of 2010, only 809 cases were detected,” he added.
He said the June cases were the second highest-ever reported in a month, after the record 313 infections in March.
Of the 295 new cases, 28 were overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) infected through sexual contact; and 20 were injecting drug users contaminated due to needle-sharing, Ty said.
Ty cited National Epidemiology Center data showing the June cases included 285 males and 10 females with a median age of 28 years, with 56 percent from the 20-to-29 age group.
Except for the 20 injecting drug users, he said all of the June cases acquired the infection as a result of sexual contact, with males having sex with other males accounting for 87 percent.
Ty said another full-blown AIDS case, a 35-year-old male, was lost in June, bringing the known deaths this year to 10.
He said he remains hopeful of the passage of House Bill 5312, which proposes a new National HIV and AIDS Control Plan, with P400 million in initial funding.
“We still have high hopes that Congress will act positively on proposed new legislation that will bolster the war on HIV/AIDS,” he said.
He added the National HIV and AIDS Registry now lists 9,964 cases, with nine out of every 10 infected on account of sexual contact.
At least 353 of those in the registry are known to have died. — LBG, GMA News
National Epidemiology Center head Dr. Enrique Tayag said the 295 new HIV cases in June brought to 1,600 the number of HIV cases in the country.
In posts on his Twitter account, Tayag noted: "(There were) 295 new HIV (cases) in June, bringing the total for the year to 1,600 – already surpassing the total number in 2010 which was 1,591."
This prompted a lawmaker to push anew for the passage of a law that would combat HIV/AIDS. HIV is the virus that causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
LPGMA party list Rep. Arnel Ty voiced alarm the new HIV infections doubled in a 24-month period.
“New HIV infections have doubled over the last 24 months, considering that in the first semester of 2010, only 809 cases were detected,” he added.
He said the June cases were the second highest-ever reported in a month, after the record 313 infections in March.
Of the 295 new cases, 28 were overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) infected through sexual contact; and 20 were injecting drug users contaminated due to needle-sharing, Ty said.
Ty cited National Epidemiology Center data showing the June cases included 285 males and 10 females with a median age of 28 years, with 56 percent from the 20-to-29 age group.
Except for the 20 injecting drug users, he said all of the June cases acquired the infection as a result of sexual contact, with males having sex with other males accounting for 87 percent.
Ty said another full-blown AIDS case, a 35-year-old male, was lost in June, bringing the known deaths this year to 10.
He said he remains hopeful of the passage of House Bill 5312, which proposes a new National HIV and AIDS Control Plan, with P400 million in initial funding.
“We still have high hopes that Congress will act positively on proposed new legislation that will bolster the war on HIV/AIDS,” he said.
He added the National HIV and AIDS Registry now lists 9,964 cases, with nine out of every 10 infected on account of sexual contact.
At least 353 of those in the registry are known to have died. — LBG, GMA News
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