358 new HIV cases reported in December

MANILA, Philippines—There were 358 new cases of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which could lead to the fatal acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), reported in December 2013, according to the Department of Health (DOH).

The figure was 22 percent higher compared to the same period in 2012, which had 293 cases.

HIV-AIDS leads to a condition characterized by the weakening or breakdown of the body’s immune system.

The new cases bring to 4,814 the number of cases since January 2013 and to 16,516 since 1984.

Thirty-one of the December cases, according to the registry, were full-blown AIDS cases.

The bulk of the new HIV cases were in the National Capital Region, Calabarzon, Central Visayas, Central Luzon and Davao.

“The three highest reporting regions were the NCR, Calabarzon and Central Visayas,” according to the registry.

Ninety-five percent of the cases were males, the report said, adding that the 20-29 age group had the most number of cases.

Of the 358 new cases, 318 were contracted through unprotected sex, with men having sex with other men as the predominant type of sexual transmission.

About 40 others were infected through needle-sharing among injecting drug users.

Ninety-one percent of the cases were asymptomatic at the time of reporting, the DOH said.

A total of 179 deaths were reported last year. Of this number, 172 were males.

The highest number of deaths occurred in the 25-29 age group, followed by the 30-34 and 35-39 age groups, the DOH said.

For the month of December alone, 15 deaths were reported, it added.

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