DOH-8 warns on rising HIV-AIDS cases in Eastern Visayas

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines  — The Department of Health-Region 8 alerted the public on the alarming and rising number of Human Immuno Virus-Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV-AIDS) in Eastern Visayas, with five deaths recorded out of 89 cases.

DOH-8 said the five deaths consisted of a 24-year-old woman and four men, aged 26 to 46.

Boyd Cerro, chief of the DOH-8 Regional Epidemiology and Sureveillance Unit (RESU) said there were only 18 cases of HIV-AIDS six years ago and the number had risen to 89 this year.

Of the five provinces in Eastern Visayas, Leyte had the most number of cases, followed by Samar, Southern Leyte, Northern Samar and Eastern Samar, he said.

In Biliran province, there were 16 cases, seven of which are in its capital town of Naval, three in Kawayan town, two each in Biliran and Maripipi, and one each in Culaba and Cabucgayan, added Cerro.   (FREEMAN)