Health department says HIV epidemic rising “fast”

August 1, 2017

A Department of Health (DOH) official warned Tuesday new human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cases may surpass 142,000 by 2022, when President Rodrigo Duterte steps down from office. In a press conference, Epidemiology Bureau HIV Surveillance head Genesis Samonte said "That's how fast the HIV epidemic is rising in the Philippines. Our problem with HIV is it will not go away. It is a problem that the Philippines has to face head-on." As of May, the country has a total of 44,010 HIV cases reported, according to the DOH. Samonte said there is a "140 percent increase in new infections in the past six years (2010-2016).". He said majority of new cases involved men-having-sex-with-men (MSM) . "About 8 of 10 of reported cases are happening among MSM," said Samonte. Samonte said the age range of MSM having sex starts at 13, 14 years old with their first anal sex at age 17, while first condom use is two years after. "They are already having (anal) sex for two years before they use protection," he noted. Samonte said another factor in the rise of HIV cases could be due to online dating sites and mobile apps. "There has been an increase not just in app but in cellphone, internet, so accessiblility to multiple partners has increased compared to 1980s," said Samonte. "Multiple partnership is fuelling the increase in new infections.". DMS