<p>Thiruvananthapuram: Ten people, including migrant workers and youngsters, allegedly drug users, were tested <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/hiv">HIV</a> positive in Malappuram district of Kerala.</p><p>According to the Kerala State AIDS Control Society (KSACS), on an average around 130 to 140 fresh HIV positive cases are being reported in Kerala monthly. Youngsters in the 18-25 age group were found to be in large numbers among the fresh HIV positive cases being found. Drug abuse seems to be the key reason. The total persons under treatment for HIV in the state is around 17,000.</p><p>It was during a screening by the KSACS that the group in Malappuram was identified. They were suspected to be sharing syringes for drug abuse. That could be the reason for the spread.</p>.Yearly HIV prevention injection shows promise in clinical trial.<p>Malappuram district medical officer R Renuka told the media that further screening was being conducted to find whether more persons were HIV infected.</p><p>Kerala has been witnessing an alarming increase in drug abuse, especially among youngsters. State-wide drives by police and excise departments have been going on over the last few weeks following several instances of drug addicts indulging in serious crimes like murders.</p><p>KSACS is also conducting massive awareness activities through educational institutions and among migrant workers. The floating population of migrant workers and unwillingness of migrants to disclose identity are major challenges faced in screening migrant workers.</p><p>Sex workers and those indulging in homosexuality were also found to be in large numbers among the fresh HIV positive cases being detected in Kerala.</p>
<p>Thiruvananthapuram: Ten people, including migrant workers and youngsters, allegedly drug users, were tested <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/hiv">HIV</a> positive in Malappuram district of Kerala.</p><p>According to the Kerala State AIDS Control Society (KSACS), on an average around 130 to 140 fresh HIV positive cases are being reported in Kerala monthly. Youngsters in the 18-25 age group were found to be in large numbers among the fresh HIV positive cases being found. Drug abuse seems to be the key reason. The total persons under treatment for HIV in the state is around 17,000.</p><p>It was during a screening by the KSACS that the group in Malappuram was identified. They were suspected to be sharing syringes for drug abuse. That could be the reason for the spread.</p>.Yearly HIV prevention injection shows promise in clinical trial.<p>Malappuram district medical officer R Renuka told the media that further screening was being conducted to find whether more persons were HIV infected.</p><p>Kerala has been witnessing an alarming increase in drug abuse, especially among youngsters. State-wide drives by police and excise departments have been going on over the last few weeks following several instances of drug addicts indulging in serious crimes like murders.</p><p>KSACS is also conducting massive awareness activities through educational institutions and among migrant workers. The floating population of migrant workers and unwillingness of migrants to disclose identity are major challenges faced in screening migrant workers.</p><p>Sex workers and those indulging in homosexuality were also found to be in large numbers among the fresh HIV positive cases being detected in Kerala.</p>