OVER 4,500 new human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cases have been recorded by the Department of Health (DOH) from July to September last year.
In a statement, the DOH said a daily average of 50 cases were reported in the third quarter.
From the total 4,595 HIV cases, there were 459 deaths from acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) which is the advanced stage of HIV infection.
The numbers bring to 139,662 HIV cases recorded in the country from January 1984 to September 2024, with a total of 8,327 deaths.
According to the Philippine National AIDS Council, sexual contact remains the predominant mode of transmission, accounting for 4,424 or 96 percent of the new cases.
Broken down to types of sexual contact, the male-having-sex-with-male had 3,263 cases, male having sex with both male and female had 623 cases, and male having sex with female with 538 cases.
Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa urged the public to practice the “ABCDE” to prevent its transmission. ABCDE stands for abstinence or delaying sexual debut; be faithful to one’s partner; correct and consistent condom use; don’t use drugs; and educate one’s self on the risks of HIV.
