Over 25,000 found to be infected with HIV in Mizoram since 2005

Aizawl: Altogether 25,982 people have been found to be infected with HIV from 2005 to March this year, out of which 3,506 have died due to AIDS, as per the Mizoram State AIDS Control Society (MSACS), health department officials said on Wednesday.

Records maintained by the MSACS revealed that 8,97,802 samples have been tested for HIV/AIDS of which 5,93,599 (66.12%) were of general people, while 3,04,203 (33.88%) were of pregnant women.

At least 23,755 people identified as infected with HIV were general people (4%), while 2,227 were pregnant women. The positivity rate during the period (2005-March 2022) was 2.89%. Out of the total number of HIV infected people identified, around 65% contracted it through unsafe sex, the MSACS records showed.

The highest percentage of HIV detection was during 2005-06 when 378 people, out of the 7,770 samples tested, were found to be infected and the rate was 4.86%.

According to the MSACS records, out of 3,506 people who have died due to AIDS up to March 31 this year, 2,250 (64.18%) were males, 1,187 (33.86%) were females and 69 (1.97%) were children.

The age group of 25-34 contributed the highest number of HIV positives (10,005 or 42.12%) among the general clients, followed by the 35-49 age group at 6,432 (27.08%) and 15-24 age group at 5,290 (22.27%). The state has 677 HIV positive people below the age of 14 years (2.85%), while 1,351 (5.69%) were above the age of 50 years.

The health department officials said while 17,917 HIV positive people have been taking anti-retroviral therapy (ART), altogether 20,542 people have registered themselves for the same but were yet to start taking the treatment. The officials described the HIV/AIDS prevalence in a small state like Mizoram, with a barely 12 lakh population, as most disturbing and alarming.

An official said it is a matter of grave concern that HIV has been spreading among the general public, not only among the vulnerable groups like commercial sex workers and intravenous drug users as was the situation earlier.

The official warned that the situation might go out of hand unless the state government, the civil societies and the powerful churches make concerted efforts on a war-footing to fight the menace.