A total of 348 persons have so far died due to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and 1,508 people are affected with HIV till date in Baleswar district. Of HIV-affected persons, 216 are residing outside the State.
This was revealed by officials on the occasion of World AIDS Day held on December 1.
The Soro block tops in accommodating 204 HIV patients followed by Khaira with 184 and Sadar block with 183. Jaleswar, Bhograi and Bahanaga blocks have 141, 109 and 83 HIV-infected persons, respectively.
According to sources, each month about 30-35 persons are detected with the dreaded disease. While 2,620 patients from Baleswar, Bhadrak, Mayurbhanj and neighbouring State West Bengal have been detected, of them, 1,460 patients are taking medication and there is no definite trace of the rest.
As many as 529 people were detected with HIV between 2014-18, which included more numbers of migrated males.