Kozhikode: In the wake of 10 people who had shared syringes and tested positive for HIV, the health department along with Valanchery municipality will conduct medical camps for screening of guest workers and those in the high-risk category.
While district health authorities said that they have been conducting screenings in various locations following the development, Valanchery municipal authorities said that they are planning to conduct screenings starting next week.
On Friday, the municipality decided to form a 50-member Jagratha Samithi Sena to monitor suspected drug hotspots.
Valanchery municipal chairman Ashraf Ambalathingal said that a police night patrolling squad had taken three persons into custody from Ponnani while they were allegedly injecting drugs. They were screened for HIV at the Ponnani government hospital following which they tested positive.
“Later Kerala State Aids Control Society took information from them and traced their contacts and conducted tests for 45 persons at Manjeri hospital. Seven more persons then tested positive for HIV,” Ashraf said.
He said that one police personnel had suffered a needle prick injury while taking the three persons into custody. Fortunately, the cop’s test returned negative, Asraf added.
Ashraf said that none of the persons who had tested HIV positive hailed from Valanchery.
“However, we are planning to offer a package of tests during the screening including hepatitis and for other infections including HIV from Monday onwards,” Ashraf said.
District surveillance officer Dr. Shubin C said of the 10 persons who have tested positive, four were Malayalis. He added that their partners would be screened as well.
