Malappuram, March 27
Ten drug addicts have tested positive for HIV at Walancherry in Kerala's Malappuram during the health screening among the high-risk category of people.
The Kerala State AIDS Control Society conducted the screening among high-risk category people, which included sex workers and drug users.
Malappuram district District Medical Officer said 10 people, all of whom are drug users, were found HIV positive.
"This screening was done in January at Walancherry, and one of them tested positive for HIV. Soon, a detailed study was conducted among his close contacts, after which nine others were found to be HIV positive," said the DMO.
Of the 10, three are migrant labourers from outside Kerala who work in Malappuram district, and the rest are all Keralites.
The detailed studies on these people found that they shared a syringe for drugs, which may have caused the HIV spread.
The DMO office has started a more detailed analysis of these 10 people and is administering them retroviral therapy.