Dongguan sees sharp rise in HIV/AIDS cases

(ECNS) -- Dongguan city in Guangdong province has witnessed a sharp rise in HIV/AIDS cases, with the number increasing by 16 percent in the first 10 months of 2013, the Guangzhou Daily reported on Wednesday.

The HIV/AIDS situation in Dongguan has attracted public attention, as one online rumor said there are 2,704 KTV waitresses in Dongguan with HIV.

The Health Bureau of Dongguan City refuted the rumor Tuesday, saying there are 2,032 people living with HIV/AIDS, 424 of them female.

But AIDS and HIV have been on the rise in Dongguan.

From January to October 2013, the city reported 583 HIV-positive cases, 166 of whom are AIDS patients. Fifty-eight AIDS deaths were reported, according to an official from the city's disease prevention and control center.

The number of HIV/AIDS cases during that period was a 16 percent increase from the same period in 2012,the official added.

The reasons behind the increase were ineffective intervention measures and the public's lack of awareness about taking voluntary AIDS tests, the official said.