Infection by Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) has come to stay in India and future statistical projections are disturbing, There are pockets in the subcontinent like Bombay, Manipur and Tamil Nadu which ‘could be time bombs. Recent Gata compiled by the Indian ‘Council of Medical Research highlights the rising trend from 3,3 per thousand in October 1985 to 11.2 per thousand in October 1990. Every third woman in one red light area ‘of Bombay is positive for HIV and in Manipur more than a thousand intravenous drug users 90 far carry this virus. By October, 1990, 40820f the 580,824 sero screened were positive for HIV and 57 had the disease and now several new ceases have been added.
Punjab with heavy international traffic aroused little curiosity till the surveillance center at PGI started meticulous screening of high risk cases with the help of ‘dedicated technicians. Till today, 82sero-positive cases have been documented. Of these 52 are Indian’s and Punjabis mostly originating from Punjab and atleast 18 had full blown disease, Thus neatly 20-25% of Indians with full Blown disease belong to this region, but unfortunately PGI ‘was not included amongst centers for management of AIDS victims. The infection could be traced to different countries notably Africa, U.S.A. Gulf, UK. as well as to Bombay. In some ‘cases exact source could not be delineated as patients had never been out of Punjab. The incidence in Punjab has increased, ‘over the last two years and stands at 10per thousand amongst high risk groups, These include large ‘number of patients referred from sister institutes (especially ‘MC, Ludhiana) in Punjab.
‘An ominous beginning has thus been made and serious efforts are warranted by all citizens. Positive steps rather than panic is the need of the hour. The threat of disease is much more from the undiagnosed or misdiagnosed ceases that visit several hospitals, clinics and nursing homes and finally report to the surveillance ‘center.
Article extracted from this publication >> November 15, 1991
