Aizawl |Aizawl district recorded 1,005 new HIV-positive cases during 2025-26, with a positivity rate of 2.74 per cent, according to data presented by the District AIDS Prevention and Control Committee (DAPCC).

The cases were detected from 36,634 general blood tests conducted across the district during the period.

Among 8,595 pregnant women screened for HIV, 52 tested positive, representing a positivity rate of 0.60 per cent, officials said.

Data presented at a recent DAPCC meeting showed that the highest number of new infections was reported among individuals aged 25 to 35 years, accounting for 381 cases. The district also recorded 14 HIV-positive cases among children below 14 years of age and 79 cases among persons aged above 50 years.

Heterosexual transmission remained the dominant mode of infection, accounting for 762 cases, or 76.3 per cent of all new detections. Injecting drug use was identified as the second-largest mode of transmission, contributing 160 cases (14.7 per cent), followed by homosexual and bisexual transmission with 62 cases (6.4 per cent).

Parent-to-child transmission accounted for 12 cases (1.5 per cent), while the mode of transmission remained unspecified in nine cases.

Officials said 10,715 people are currently receiving Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) in the district. The data also revealed that 14 patients were co-infected with both HIV and tuberculosis (TB), underscoring the continuing public health challenge posed by the two diseases.

Among high-risk groups, 39 HIV-positive cases were detected from 3,613 blood tests conducted among people who inject drugs. Twelve cases were identified from 366 tests among female sex workers, while 13 cases were detected from 7,333 tests among men who have sex with men (MSM).

The figures were presented during a meeting of the District AIDS Prevention and Control Committee held at the DC Conference Hall under the chairmanship of Additional Deputy Commissioner Vanlalrova.

The committee reviewed HIV prevention and control activities undertaken during 2025-26 and discussed strategies to curb the rising number of new infections in Aizawl district. Members also deliberated on measures to strengthen the identification and treatment of people living with HIV.

The meeting further reviewed a demonstration of a condom finder application designed to improve public access to condoms. Committee members noted that the app has not yet been widely promoted and recommended enhancements to improve its outreach, effectiveness and user experience.

Preparations for the Red Ribbon School Quiz Competition 2026 were also discussed during the meeting as part of ongoing awareness and prevention initiatives.