The Philippine Department of Health (DOH) Tuesday said new cases of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) rose by 19 percent in May this year.
New cases recorded in January to May numbered 2,320, nearly 23 percent higher than the 1,892 cases reported last year, Xinhua reported.
Of the new HIV cases recorded in May, DOH said 465 were infected through sexual contact while 30 were drug users who shared contaminated needles.
DOH said 140 of those who were infected were aged between 15 to 24 years of age.
According to the Philippine HIV and AIDS Registry, the total number of HIV cases has reached 18,863 since 1984.