Baguio Reports 17 HIV-related deaths

The City Health Office (CHO) of Baguio City has confirmed that at least 17 persons allegedly died due to the prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency–Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV-AIDS) since 1992. CHO has recorded a total of 33 HIV and AIDS cases and more than half of the victims have died. The victims are from 17-45 years of age, and 11 of them are female. Majority of the cases were overseas workers. Other categories included sexually active females, spouses of persons infected with HIV, foreigners, blood donors and sexually active male homosexuals. The local health office has intensified its operations so that commercial sex workers will be forced to undergo tests for sexually transmitted diseases.