Shared syringes to take drugs: 9 test HIV positive in Kerala

Malappuram/Kerala: Nine people in Kerala's Malappuram have tested positive for HIV after using drugs from the same syringe. Three of them are migrant workers. The test conducted by the Kerala AIDS Society confirmed the infection. The Malappuram DMO has also confirmed the news. The Kerala AIDS Society conducted a screening in January. Subsequently, one person was confirmed to be HIV positive. Later, nine people were confirmed to be HIV positive in a test conducted on him. The infection was caused by their using drugs from the same syringe.

The Health Department informed that many of them are married and tests are being conducted to find out if more people have been infected with the disease. The Health Department is also preparing for a large-scale screening focusing on their family members. In the wake of the HIV reports in Valancherry, the Malappuram district administration is to hold an emergency meeting. A decision regarding further steps will be made during the meeting.