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NEW DELHI: A study by the Bihar State AIDS Control Society has said that Patna has become the epicentre of Bihar’s HIV cases while the state now ranks third in India in terms of the infections, with more than 9,000 cases reported this year.
Between 2019 and 2024, thousands of new infections were reported annually in Bihar, according to the study. Overall, in Bihar, 9,928 cases were identified in 2019-20, followed by 6,469 in 2020-21. 4,153 cases were reported in 2021-22, 9,963 in 2022-23, and 9,359 in 2023-24. This year, however, in October alone, 5,820 new cases were documented.
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Patna leads the number of infections with 1,867 cases reported till October 2024. Other affected districts include Saran (422), Darbhanga (399), Begusarai (390), Bhagalpur (362), Siwan (359), Samastipur (349), and Sitamarhi (339).
The study has blamed the rise in infections due to female sex workers in Tirhut and Mithilanchal, and truck drivers in Purnia and Seemanchal. Pregnant women and transgender individuals in Bihar are particularly vulnerable. In 2023-24, 1,352 pregnant women tested positive for HIV, with 632 cases reported till October 2024. Among transgender individuals, 70 out of 8,675 tested were found to be infected in 2023-24, with 38 out of 6,827 infected in 2024.
The study highlights that various groups, including youth, pregnant women, transgender individuals, sex workers, and truck drivers, are significantly affected. The health department identifies injectable drug use as a primary cause of the rising infections in districts like Buxar and Rohtas.
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Overall in India, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh lead in AIDS infections, followed by Bihar. Despite this, Bihar has also achieved a 27% reduction in HIV infection rates since 2010, with the current rate at 0.17%, below the national average of 0.22%. The government aims to control the infection by 2030.
Awareness campaigns are crucial, particularly targeting youth who are at high risk due to drug use and unprotected sex. Manoj Kumar Sinha, joint director of the Bihar AIDS Control Committee, emphasizes the importance of state-level orientation programs and the AIDS Prevention Control Act 2017. Efforts are underway to educate DSPs, police inspectors, and the public about AIDS prevention and control.
As Bihar continues to combat this health crisis, the focus remains on enhancing awareness, prevention, and treatment to mitigate the spread of AIDS and improve public health outcomes.
