HIV cases increasing gradually

Thimphu, November 06: The number of HIV patients has increased to 101 in the country, with new 11 cases identified between July to September this year.

Of the 11 persons identified, seven are males and four females, the Department of Public Health said. A five-year-old boy and a 22 months old girl got infected through their mother.
 
Between April and June seven cases – three males and four females – were registered.

The first HIV case in the country was detected in 1993 increasing to 23 in 2004. No cases were identified last year.

Out of 101 infected persons, 21 are business people, 20 are armed personnel, 11 government and corporation employees, 10 drivers, seven sex-workers, five farmers, two urban women, one an unemployed youth and four others. They are from 15 of the 20 dzongkhags.
 
Health department said 88 percent of the infected people are economically productive.
 
94 percent of the infection was through unprotected heterosex. There were two cases of infection through intravenous drug use. Bhutan News Service/Sangey Oendrey