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Cambodia probes mass HIV infection
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CAMBODIAN Prime Minister Hun Sen yesterday ordered a probe into an apparent mass HIV infection believed to have been spread by contaminated needles, as the number of suspected cases passed 100.
Hundreds of panicked residents of the remote Roka village in western Battambang Province have flocked for testing since news of the infections emerged last week, with health officials saying a total of 106 people may have been infected.
“I call for a thorough investigation into the issue,” Hun Sen said in a televised speech, urging tests of the equipment used to verify the patients have contracted HIV.
Teams from the kingdom’s Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization and UNAIDS have been at the site since Tuesday to review the alarmingly high number of positive results and offer free — and voluntary —testing.
“I urge everyone to stay calm and avoid listening to or spreading rumors,” Minister of Health Mam Bunheng said.
“We should also fully respect the privacy of the affected families and ensure they do not face stigma and discrimination.”
The outbreak, in the village of around 800 residents, emerged in late November when a 74-year-old man tested positive at a Roka health center for the virus, swiftly followed by his grand-daughter and son-in-law, the ministry said.
The spotlight then moved to all of the patients — including teenagers — of an unlicensed local doctor, whom villagers suspect of spreading the virus through contaminated needles.
Local media reports said the self-appointed doctor has been questioned by police.
Mean Chhi Vun, director of the Health Ministry’s National Center for HIV/AIDS, Dermatology and STDs, said health experts were double-checking the results.
“We need to do more confirmation tests,” he said.
Cambodia has been widely hailed for its efforts in tackling HIV/AIDS.
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