From the Hotbed of repeated Gorkhaland movements to the Hotspot of HIV infections, hill queen Darjeeling is reeling under severe HIV epidemic this year. As per the data released by National Aids Control Organization (NACO), Darjeeling has emerged as the new HIV hotspot with 2 persons in every 100 are testing HIV positive.
The cut off for HIV is 1%, above which the infection is considered an epidemic. The Darjeeling figure show that the infection is spreading from high risk groups to general population. Darjeeling is among nine districts that have popped up this year in addition to the already existing group of 87 districts that have a prevalence of more than 1% HIV infections.
In 2006 the level was below 1% as per NACO and the cause of sudden rise in prevalence is yet to be ascertained. According to Ashok Alexander, director of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s initiative in India, it is difficult to control HIV spread once the infection spills over from high risk groups (Drug users, sex workers etc.) to general population.
Public health experts say that migration of population can be looked into as a cause of HIV escalation. As a tourist spot, Darjeeling enjoys a lot of Indian and foreign tourist, particularly from South East Asia. This apart, a lot of migration takes place across open boarder with Nepal, which ethnically resembles Darjeeling.
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