HIV/AIDS cases up in Baguio; 17 dead

BAGUIO CITY -- At least half or 17 HIV/Aids patients in this tourist resort city have died from a total of 35 cases recently reported here.

This, as even the number of non-gonococcal STI like syphilis is also on the rise here.

A rise in sexually transmitted infections and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in this tourist resort city is being seen to become epidemic even with a measles outbreak.

According to city health officials, HIV/Aids cases here have risen from 10 for 1992 to 2002 to 25 cases for of 2004 to 2009 but said the deaths were recorded since 1992,

Dr. Celia Brillantes, social hygiene clinic chief said a 150 percent increase in reported cases in a five-year period was alarming.

She said cases of syphilis infections have been increasing indicating HIV/AIDS cases are increasing.

Brillantes said those who turned out positive with HIV are not only with sex workers but also overseas Filipino workers and those with multiple sex partners, particularly those having homosexual relations.

For 1992 to 2002, seven out of 10 positive cases were OFWs.

From 2004 to 2009, Brillantes said four OFWs per year become infected with HIV/Aids in the city.

The latest reported cases in the city according to the health social hygiene clinic, involves men having sex with men.

This, as confirmed cases of measles in the city also rose to seven for the period of Feb. 26 until March 19, with 60 more suspected cases being placed under surveillance and testing.

“Technically it’s an outbreak because by the definition of the word itself, there is already a sudden increase in the number of cases which we have than in previous years,” epidemiology and surveillance unit head of the city health office Dr. Donna Tubera said.

This prompted the city health office to launch a simultaneous immunization of 95,000 children aged six months to 12 years old here.

Since last week, more than 45,000 children were given vaccines or one half of the targeted population, including all school children in the city.

Reportedly caused by the rubella virus, the type of measles is different from German measles ortigdas-hangin.

Rubella virus, which causes measles, is a highly contagious virus usually transmitted from person to person through infected air droplets and direct contact.

Rashes starting at the forehead and neck spreading through the body and lasting for about three days coupled with high-grade fever occur during the infection. Cough, red eyes, and runny nose also occur. -- JD