New HIV Cases in Philippines Hit Record High in April

According to China's Xinhua news agency, the Philippines Department of Health (DOH) reported 388 new HIV cases for April 2013, a 67-percent increase from the number recorded in April 2012. DOH stated that, of April 2013's new HIV cases, males comprised 95 percent; persons 20-29 years old comprised 61 percent; and persons 15-24 years old accounted for a total of 119 cases. April's new HIV cases brought the Philippines' total of new cases to 1,477 for the first four months of 2013. The Philippine government has pledged to increase public awareness about HIV/AIDS.