AIDS Watch: 61 HIV cases reported in August 2009

[Youth AIDS Filipinas Alliance (YAFA)]

The Department of Health through its National Epidemiology Center reported 61 HIV cases for August 2009, a 49% increase compared to the same period last year. The total number of HIV infection for 2009 alone (January to August) accounts for 493 cases. This month's reported infections bring the total number of HIV cases in the Philippines to 4,082 since January 1984.

The age of the infected Filipinos ranges from 20-54 with males males having the majority of the cases (92%). Ten (10) reported HIV infections for this month were young Filipinos age 15-24, half the number of cases as compared to last month's 21 cases. Of all the cases, majority (34 cases or 56%) were from Metro Manila, the country's National Capital Region.

All of the cases, except three with no data given, were infected through sexual contact. The predominant mode of sexual contact was through men having sex with men (72%). Four of the 61 infections were reported as AIDS cases. No death was reported.

Source: Department of Health

NEC_HIV_Aug-AIDSreg2009 .pdf