Over 85,000 people contracted HIV through unprotected sex in 2020-21 when the country was reeling under Covid-19 lockdown, an RTI reply shows. Maharshtra topped the list with 10,498 cases.
Andhra Pradesh has come second with 9,521 cases while in Karnataka 8,947 people contracted the virus during the same period. Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal have reported 3,037 and 2,757 cases, respectively.
The National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) gave the details in response to an RTI query filed by Madhya Pradesh-based activist Chandra Shekhar Gaur.
As per the official data, over 17 lakh people contracted HIV in the country in the last 10 years due to unprotected intercourse, though the figures show a steady decline. HIV transmission by unprotected sex was recorded in 2.4 lakh people in 2011-12, while the number reduced to 85,268 in 2020-21.
In the last 10 years, Andhra Pradesh recorded the highest number of such cases of HIV transmission at 3,18,814 followed by Maharashtra at 2,84,577, Karnataka at 2,12,982, Tamil Nadu at 1,16,536, Uttar Pradesh at 1,10,911 and Gujarat at 87,440 cases.
As of 2020, there are 23,18,737 people living with HIV, including 81,430 children, in the country, shows the data.
HIV attacks the body's immune system. If not treated, it can lead to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). The virus can be transmitted through contact with infected blood, semen or vaginal fluids.
HIV has no effective treatment. However, it can be managed with proper medical care.
