LAHORE: The Punjab AIDS Control Programme (PACP) has conducted a rapid situational assessment in Chiniot to investigate and collect information about the emergence of over two dozen HIV/AIDS cases in Chiniot.
In this connection, a technical team of the PACP, which visited Chiniot and conducted epidemiological assessment of the area following emergency of HIV cases reported by district officials, shared their findings at a meeting at the PACP Complex on Wednesday, with PACP Programme Director Dr Adnan Zafar Khan in the chair.
It was shared that the analysis of the identified cases did not show any definite epidemiological pattern consistent with the traPnsmission of the virus.
“The primary mode of transmission ranges from spousal transmission to patients with history of surgical intervention as well as transfusion of blood. The cases amongst children were due to vertical transmission of the virus as their mothers were also reactive,” a member of the team recorded in his observations.
“However, one transmission denominator common to all identified cases is possible visit to neighbourhood quacks and receiving non-prescribed, non-therapeutic injections. Further investigation indicates possible reuse of syringes with lack of awareness on part of the patients about the dangers associated with the reuse of contaminated syringes. In addition, dental treatment by quacks has also been documented in some patients (age between six and 60 years) as the presumptive mode of transmission,” he added.
It was disclosed that as many as 243 residents were screened and 28 cases were found reactive. As many as 111 hepatitis ‘C’ cases were also found reactive.
“The high rate of hepatitis ‘C’ also points towards quackery and the reuse of contaminated syringes as the primary source of HIV transmission.
All patients have been referred to HIV/AIDS Treatment Centre in Allied Hospital Faisalabad.
Published in Daily Times, August 3nd 2017.