German national dies of ‘HIV-Aids’ in Cagayan de Oro

THE City Council expressed alarm Thursday over the death of a German national reportedly from the human immunodeficiency virus-acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV-Aids).

The German’s body has not been claimed at Bollozos Funeral Parlor in Barangay Bulua, Cagayan de Oro City, for more than a month now.

Councilor Dante Pajo, chairperson of the City Council committee on health and author of the Cagayan de Oro Aids Council, said the German national arrived in Cagayan de Oro in November 2009 and was hospitalized at the Polymedic General Hospital a few days after he arrived and later died.

He said the foreigner was suspected to have HIV/AIDS.

“The German national made a grand entrance in the city. He used to have a wife in Thailand and a lot of lovers in Malaysia. When he arrived here, reports said he was fond of playing around with teenage girls, aged 13 years old and up. He also loved to go to the ‘red light district’,” Pajo said.

Pajo said though they have yet to confirm the real cause of the foreigner’s death, the report is still “very alarming.”

“It is better to take precautionary measures for our peace of mind. This virus is passed from one person to another through blood-to-blood and sexual contact. In addition, infected pregnant women can pass Aids to their baby during pregnancy or delivery, as well as through breastfeeding. People with HIV have what is called HIV infection. Most of these people will develop AIDS as a result of their HIV infection,” Pajo said.

He said if it is confirmed that the German national died of HIV-Aids, the City Health Office along with the Aids Council will closely monitor those who were in contact with the foreigner to prevent the spread of the disease.

With this, Pajo called on those who had previous sexual contacts with the German national to visit the City Health Office for thorough check-up and counseling. (Nicole J. Managbang)

Published in the Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro newspaper on May 28, 2010.