Jammu: Despite Jammu and Kashmir listed among the states with low prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cases in India, the deadly virus is slowly spreading its tentacles in south Kashmir and southern districts of Jammu region.
Anantnag, Kulgam, Samba and Kathua have reported a number of HIV cases which are mainly attributed to greater usage of drugs rather than sexual transmission.
Though senior officials in J&K State AIDS Control Society (JKSACS) refused to give district-wise figures, citing the policy of not creating a public scare, they expressed concern over youth falling to the trap of drug mafias. They demanded a rethink on the traditional approach to deal with the spread of the disease.
Official sources admitted that the drug menace had reached an alarming proportions in both regions of the state.
According to the latest figures, J&K has a prevalence of 0.05 per cent of HIV which is lowest in the country. Till October, 2016, 5,018 persons were affected by HIV while 746 persons had died due to AIDS in the state since the first case was detected 30 years ago.
“The usage of drugs is a major reason for HIV transmission, mainly in the Kashmir Valley. Apart from that women sex workers and truckers are main transmitters. The movement of people to other parts of the country for work adds to the risk,” said a senior official in JKSACS.
By October this year, 60,930 people have been tested for HIV in J&K which include 26,630 pregnant women. Out of them 183, including 10 pregnant women, tested positive for HIV in 2016.
Recently, Minister for Health Bali Bhagat had also asked agencies to take measures and keep a constant vigil. “The situation in J&K is not as alarming when compared to other states yet there is no scope for slackness. We need to re-double our efforts in fight against the HIV menace,” Bhagat had said.
According to the figures around 300 people living with HIV (PLHIVs) have been provided financial assistance of Rs 6,000 per annum by the state government.
In order to reduce the window period in HIV testing methods, the JKSACS has submitted a proposal for upgrading the HIV testing to the latest technology like ELISA fourth generation testing and Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) testing to the Central government.