Over 210 Roka villagers infected with HIV

 

PHNOM PENH (PHNOM PENH (The Cambodia Herald) -- At least 212 villagers in Roka commune in Battambong province have been infected with HIV, according to a statement jointly issued Saturday by the Cambodian Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO). 

"From Dec. 8 to 31, 2014, a total of 1,940 people from Roka commune voluntarily undertook HIV testing and counseling and 212 people tested positive for HIV," said the statement. 

"Among the 212 HIV carriers, 39 people are below 14 years old, 127 are between 15 and 59 years old and 46 people are 60 years old or older."

 Among the people tested HIV positive, 172 people, or 82 percent, are from Roka village. 

 Hundreds of villagers in Roka commune have flocked to Roka Health Center to have their blood tested since December 8. 

Locals in the commune have flocked to a health center to have their blood tested for HIV since Dec. 8 after a 74-year-old man, who tested positive for the virus in November, alerted others who used to receive medical treatment from an unlicensed doctor to get tested.

Last month, local police arrested and detained the unlicensed doctor, Yem Chrin, 56, who has been blamed for the HIV outbreak.