Baguio carries out search of 500 possible undiagnosed HIV cases amid 1,300 estimated infections

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — The Baguio City Health Services Office (CHSO) is stepping up its efforts to find around 500 people who may be living with HIV without knowing their status, as the city’s recorded cases reached 812 against an estimated 1,300 infections.

Based on the latest CHSO report cited by the Baguio City Public Information Office, the city had 800 recorded HIV cases as of December 2025, with 12 additional cases identified from January to March 2026.

The 12 newly recorded cases were men who have sex with men (MSM), with most belonging to the 15- to 34-year-old age group.

The Department of Health (DOH) estimates that around 1,300 people in Baguio may be living with HIV, indicating that about 500 infections may remain undiagnosed.

CHSO Medical Officer IV Dr. Virgilio Clement Bilalat urged individuals who may have been exposed to HIV to undergo testing, assuring them that their identities and medical information will remain confidential as required by law.

The CHSO is working with government and non-government organizations to identify possible cases through community outreach, online platforms and contact tracing, among other approaches.

Bilalat said manpower remains a challenge in expanding case-finding activities, prompting the CHSO to consider hiring additional personnel dedicated to identifying possible cases and linking them to testing and treatment services.

The health office stressed that early diagnosis and treatment are important in managing HIV and preventing its transmission.

HIV attacks the body’s immune system and, without treatment, can progress to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). While there is currently no cure for HIV, proper medical care can control the virus and help people living with HIV manage the condition.