TACLOBAN CITY –Health officials in Eastern Visayas have raised concern over the continued rise in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections in the region, with 141 new cases reported in the first four months of 2025 alone—including three deaths recorded in April.
The Department of Health (DOH)–Eastern Visayas said the region has now documented a total of 2,652 confirmed HIV cases since records began in 1984, with 92 deaths and 11 mother-to-child transmissions reported during that period.
The growing number of infections is particularly alarming among young adults aged 25 to 34, a demographic the DOH identifies as highly vulnerable due to increased engagement in casual sex facilitated by dating apps and social media platforms.
“The accessibility of digital platforms has made it easier for individuals to meet, but it has also contributed to the rise in risky sexual behaviors,” Antonietta Diloy, program coordinator of the DOH’s HIV and AIDS Core Team (HACT), said in a recent interview.
Among the main factors driving the increase in cases are risky behaviors such as unprotected sex and multiple sexual partners; the fear of stigma and discrimination, which discourages individuals from getting tested or seeking treatment; and digital hookup culture, which is making anonymous and casual encounters more common.
To respond to the surge in cases, the DOH is intensifying its efforts through several strategies: free and confidential HIV testing, which is being rolled out in communities and health centers across the region; expanded health education and awareness campaigns, especially targeting high-risk populations such as men who have sex with men (MSM); increased availability of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) to help prevent new infections; and broader access to Antiretroviral Therapy (ART), a life-saving treatment for HIV patients. As of now, 1,506 individuals in the region are enrolled in ART.
The health department continues to call on the public to take a proactive role in HIV prevention by getting tested regularly, especially if sexually active; practicing safe sex using condoms; seeking medical care and treatment immediately if diagnosed; and breaking the stigma associated with HIV by fostering a more informed and compassionate community.
“Ending the stigma is as important as stopping the virus. HIV is preventable and treatable. Early detection saves lives,” the DOH emphasized.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
