HIV/AIDS cases to exceed 30,000 in late 2014

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - The number of HIV/AIDS in the Philippines is expected to exceed 30,000 by the end of 2014 with 16 new cases being documented daily, a official said today.

Noel Palaypayon, deputy unit manager at the Department of Health (DOH)'s National HIV/AIDS/STI Surveillance and Strategic Information Unit, said there has been an alarming increase in HIV cases in the Philippines since 2006.

"For the past two decades, the HIV was described as, first, from hidden and growing, then low and slow and to fast and furious, " he said during the 13th Philippine National Convention on AIDS.

DOH records showed that in 2000, one new case was being recorded every three days. In 2007, one new cases was being recorded daily, and then two new cases daily in 2009.

Palaypayon said in 2012 they saw nine new cases and then 14 new cases in 2013 and 16 new cases this year every day.

The projected number of people with HIV/AIDS is expected to reach 30,650 by the end of 2014. Most of them belong to 15-24 age group.