In a concerning incident, ten people in Valanchery, Malappuram, have tested positive for HIV after allegedly sharing syringes for drug use. Among them, three are migrant workers. This is the first time Kerala has reported such a large group of HIV cases linked to shared syringe use.
According to District Medical Officer (DMO) Dr. R Renuka, the Kerala AIDS Control Society was conducting screenings for high-risk groups like drug users and sex workers when one person tested positive for HIV. Health officials then traced and tested 15 people who had shared syringes with him. Shockingly, nine of them were also found to be HIV-positive.
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Authorities believe the virus spread because an infected person used a syringe, which was then shared by others. The tests were conducted over the past two months, and health officials are now trying to identify if more people from the group are infected.
Valanchery municipality chairman, Ashraf Ambalthingal, stated that the infection was first discovered when a sample was taken from a person in police custody.
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In response, health officials plan to increase screenings among high-risk groups to detect and prevent further spread. Their main goal is to ensure that all affected individuals receive proper medical care and treatment as soon as possible.
