HIV cases in Davao City continue to rise, with the youngest reported patient being just 13 years old, according to the City Health Office’s Reproductive Health and Wellness Center (RHWC).
Richard Reyes, case manager at RHWC-CHO Davao, attributed the increase to a higher number of individuals undergoing HIV testing, which the agency has actively conducted in local communities.
Most of the confirmed cases were transmitted through unprotected sexual contact.
Reyes also noted that younger individuals are now being diagnosed with HIV at an early age.
One of the youngest confirmed cases is a 13-year-old, while another newly recorded patient is 15 years old.
This highlights that HIV is no longer confined to the adult population but is now posing a growing threat to the youth.
To curb the spread of the virus, the RHWC continues its education campaigns, emphasizing the importance of prevention methods such as abstinence and contraceptives like condoms.
The agency also intensifies efforts to raise public awareness about HIV and encourage regular health check-ups.
Authorities stress that proper knowledge and responsible health practices are key to preventing the further spread of HIV in the city.