Over 4,600 new HIV cases recorded in Q1 – DOH

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May 22, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Over 4,600 newly diagnosed cases of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have been recorded in the country in the first quarter of this year, according to the Department of Health (DOH).

Latest data from the HIV and AIDS Surveillance of the Philippines showed that from January to March, there were 4,633 newly reported HIV cases. This is nine percent higher than the cases logged in the same quarter last year.

Of the new cases, 1,104 or 24 percent of the patients have advanced HIV at the time of diagnosis.

The quarter average cases per day is 51, a decrease of 11 percent compared to the same reporting period in 2025 of 57 cases per day.

Meanwhile, average monthly cases reported for the same period reached 1,544, which is lower by nine percent compared to the same period in 2025 of 1,693 cases.

The National Capital Region recorded the highest number of HIV infections with 989 cases followed by Calabarzon with 808, Central Luzon with 551, Soccsksargen with 277 and Davao region with 263.

These five regions accounted for 62 percent or 2,888 of the total cases recorded during the period.

Of the newly confirmed HIV cases reported during the first quarter, 4,381 were men while 252 were women, the DOH said.

The age of the newly reported cases ranged from 2 to 77 years old

As of March 2026, the National HIV Care Cascade noted that an estimated 288,000 people are living with HIV (PLHIV) in the country, with 55 percent or 157,350 diagnosed or laboratory confirmed.

The Philippines has adopted the global 95-95-95 targets of the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS, which targets that by 2030, 95 percent of all PLHIV know their status or are diagnosed, 95 percent of those diagnosed are receiving treatment or antiretroviral therapy and 95 percent of those on treatment achieve viral suppression.

The DOH is continuously urging the public, especially those at risk, to have themselves tested in certified rapid HIV diagnostic algorithm confirming laboratories and avail of free treatment in accredited HIV treatment hubs.