TACLOBAN CITY: The City Health Office here has expressed concern about the rising number of cases of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

City Health Office officer in charge Dr. Danilo Ecarma said that, based on the recorded cases from 1984 to 2023, the HIV-positive people are becoming younger.

At least 277 people have been diagnosed with HIV in Tacloban City, with 167 or 58 percent falling between the ages of 25 and 34.

He added that 77 or 27 percent fall between the ages of 15 and 24 and the remaining 33 cases are between the ages of 35 and 49.

"Based on a report from the city epidemiology surveillance unit, the city logged eight cases in September alone, higher than the five cases recorded in August 2023," Ecarma said.

The leading mode of transmission for HIV and AIDS in the city remains to be the male-to-male sex encounter with multiple sex partners coming in at second.

Aside from unprotected sex and mother-to-child transmission, people can also get infected with the diseases through the transmission of contaminated blood.

"We always emphasize the importance of regular checkups and HIV testing every six months since it is free at the city health office and treatment hub at the Eastern Visayas Medical Center," Ecarma said.

"We recommend those potentially infected persons undergo counseling with our accredited counselors before testing," he added.

In an effort to stop the spread of HIV, the City Health Office and its partner organizations have increased their information, education and communication campaigns in schools.

By year's end, the Department of Health hopes that 90 percent of all HIV-positive individuals will be aware of their status and will be on treatment.

HIV is a virus that targets the immune system, and if left untreated, a person's immune system will ultimately fail to function.

AIDS, on the other hand, refers to a group of symptoms and diseases that develop at the most severe stage of HIV infection.