Philippines posts 100 new HIV cases

MANILA, Philippines — At least a hundred more people have been tested positive for HIV or human immunodeficiency virus, which they acquired through paid sex, the Department of Health (DOH) reported over the weekend.

Data from the HIV/AIDS Registry of the Philippines showed there were 114 new HIV infections recorded in April as a result of “transactional sex.”

Of the figure, 98 percent or 112 of those who acquired the virus due to paid sex were males aged 17 to 62 years old.

All of the 52 cases of those who paid for sex and acquired HIV were males.

The DOH said 42 of those who accepted payment for sex were males and only one was female.

Except for one, all of the 19 who engaged in both activities were males.

According to the DOH report, transactional sex accounted for 14 percent of the newly diagnosed cases in April.

People who engage in transactional sex are those who pay for sex, regularly accept payment for sex, or do both.

From January to April, there were 529 cases of people who acquired HIV after engaging in transactional sex.

The new cases brought to 6,596 the total number of people who tested positive for HIV after engaging in paid sex since December 2012.

Last week, the DOH issued the implementing rules and regulations of the new HIV and AIDS Policy Act, which is meant to effectively address the growing HIV epidemic in the country.

The DOH said 36 new HIV infections are recorded daily. Most of the cases belong to 15 to 24 age bracket.