AS human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cases in the country continue to surge, sexual contact remains the primary mode of transmission.
Based on the January to March 2025 HIV and AIDS Surveillance of the Philippines report, 4,899 of the 5,101 cases, or 96 percent, of the newly-reported cases acquired HIV through sexual contact.
These include 3,645 cases of transmission through male-to-male sex, 705 through male-to-male/female sex, and 549 through male-to-female sex.
“Sexual contact has consistently been the leading mode of HIV transmission among newly diagnosed cases over the years,” said the DOH.
From January 1984 to March this year, 143,272 of the 148,721 of HIV cases were acquired through sexual contact — 89,198 cases from male-to-male sex, 33,823 from male-to-male/female sex, and 20,251 from male-to-female sex.
Mother-to-child transmission is the second most reported method of HIV transmission in the first quarter of 2025, with 17 cases, followed by the 12 cases of HIV transmission through sharing of infected needles.
There were 173 HIV cases with no data on the mode of transmission.
Last week, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa called on Malacañang to declare a public health emergency for HIV due to a surge in cases. He said the DOH is in need of assistance from other government agencies if it is to combat the spread of HIV, similar to efforts seen during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The number of HIV cases is projected to reach 500,000 by 2030 if government will not take effective and immediate measures, the Philippine National AIDS Council said last week.
