DOH: In May alone, 15 died of AIDS

Fifteen persons died from acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in May when 1,098 new cases of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) were reported, according to the Department of Health (DOH).

The latest figure on the new HIV cases was the highest recorded in a month since 1984, and was way higher than May 2016’s 741 cases.

It also topped the previous high of 968 new cases in March this year.

HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system, the body’s natural defense system. Over time it leads to AIDS.

Of the 1,098 new cases, 140 developed into full-blown AIDS.

The National Capital Region had the highest number with 404 cases, followed by Calabarzon’s 155 cases, Central Luzon’s 108 cases, Central Visayas’ 98 cases, and Davao Region’s 60 cases.

Of the new cases, 1,068 were transmitted by sexual contact, and the rest by drug injection and by an infected mother to her child.

Homosexual contact had the highest number with 558, followed by bisexual contact with 360, while heterosexual contact led to 150 cases.

Injecting drug use accounted for 27 new cases, while there were three cases of mother-to-child transmission.

A total of 84 overseas Filipino workers were also found to have acquired HIV/AIDS, all by sexual contact.