Thursday, August 19, 2004 2nd Zamboangueño found positive for AIDS
ZAMBOANGA CITY -- A Zamboangueño earlier found to be exhibiting symptoms of the dreaded Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) was confirmed to have the disease based on tests performed by a Manila laboratory.
The Zamboangueño is the second AIDS victim discovered in the city since last month.
The first patient was referred to a Manila hospital for treatment and counseling right after he was found to have full-blown AIDS.
The City Health Office (CHO) and other agencies engaged in the AIDS program are tracing the persons the two victims came into contact with to determine if the disease was further passed on.
City health officer Rodelin Agbulos said the Manila laboratory released the laboratory test results on the second suspected AIDS victim this week.
He denied reports that another AIDS victim apart from the two who tested positive for the disease was discovered in the city.
The second AIDS victim has been admitted to the Manila hospital for treatment and counseling.
"Our contract tracing showed negative results," Agbulos said in a radio interview Wednesday, but called on the public to remain vigilant and alert against the spread of the AIDS-causing virus.
He said sexually active individuals should always be careful and practice safe sex to prevent from being infected with sexually transmitted diseases (STD), particularly AIDS.
Last week, the CHO reported an increase in the number of STD cases in the city from January to June, this year.
In 2003, the total number of STD cases was reported at 800. (Abigail Tan)
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