HIV hydra

 Among north eastern states, Mizoram has displaced both Manipur and Nagaland as the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence state. Till a decade back, Mizoram was placed well below Manipur and Nagaland in the high prevalence category. The major cause of the spread of AIDS virus in Mizoram  is attributed to the sexual transmission which stands at 67.21 per cent, with over 1 per cent being blamed for transmission through homosexuality. This is followed by infected needles shared by drug users which led to 28.12% HIV positive cases. Mizoram has on an average, nine positive cases of HIV/AIDS reported in a day. Data compiled by the Mizoram State AIDS Control Society (MSACS) show that 67.21% of the positive cases from 2006 to March 2019 have been transmitted sexually, 1.03% of the transmission route being homosexual. According to a government source in Mizoram, analysis of the HIV positive cases confirmed at the testing centres show that people in the age group of 25-34 years are the most vulnerable in Mizoram followed by those in the age brackets of 35-49 years and 15-24 years. Over the years, new HIV infections have been reported in Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram in 2017, in spite of an overall decline in HIV infection in the country, according to a National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) report. The report states that Assam, Meghalaya and Mizoram have a high rate of annual new HIV infection trend states (between 2010-17) each reported an increase of 37, 10 and 18 per cent respectively. Women constituted a significant proportion both in terms of AIDS-related deaths and new HIV infections. Mizoram, Manipur and Nagaland were accounted as states with adult (15-49 years) HIV prevalence above the national average. Mizoram, Manipur and Nagaland each reported 2.04, 1.43 and 1.15 per cent respectively. Assam reported 1,387 new HIV infections in 2017 with a staggering 37 per cent increase, accounting for 41 per cent of new HIV infections among women. Meghalaya state reported 191 new HIV infections in 2017 with a 10 per cent increase and 42 per cent new HIV infections among women. In Mizoram, there were 1,503 new HIV infections in 2017 there was a 30 per cent decline in AIDS-related deaths. There was an 18 per cent increase in new HIV infections trend with women accounting for 42 per cent of new HIV infection. Arunachal Pradesh has reported a 65 per cent increase in new HIV infections in 2017 with 76 new HIV infections, with 39 per cent of new HIV infections among women. Annual new HIV infections are increasing in three states of the north-east region- Assam, Mizoram and Meghalaya and also in Uttarakhand, while in Nagaland, Manipur, Delhi, Chhattisgarh and Jammu & Kashmir decline is less than 10% in last 7 years. There are still some grey areas regarding control of HIV and its spread. The awareness campaigns have long ceased to be the primary tools. The secondary tool such as Antiretroviral Therapy (ART ) which is considered as a must for HIV/AIDs is not widely available in many states. The central funding for treatment is also another issue with many states and it has been blamed for rising deaths in some states.  Unless ART and other necessary treatment facilities are made available, HIV/AIDS will continue to spread at alarming rate.