New HIV infections up 45% in Philippines: official

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2008

MANILA (AFP) — AIDS-related infections are rising rapidly in the Philippines although the ratio of those afflicted out of the total population remains low, Health Secretary Francisco Duque said Tuesday.

An average of 29 cases a month of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) have been reported in 2007 and 2008, compared with 20 cases a month in previous years, he told a news conference.

"Although the Philippines remains a low-prevalence country, it should not be a reason to be complacent as statistics and trends show that the number of those infected are on the rise," Duque said.

A health department report on AIDS in the country called for a focus on "prevention activities geared towards vulnerable populations and a scaled up response for making available...