HIV Cases Surge Among Straight People in Yucatán

Mérida, Yucatán — The Network of People Living with HIV (Repavih) has reported a growing number of HIV cases among the heterosexual population in Yucatán. The trend is attributed to a lack of awareness, risky sexual practices, and insufficient preventive measures.

Shift in Transmission Patterns

Pablo Alemán Góngora, director of Repavih, noted that cases within the LGBTQ+ community have declined due to increased adoption of safer practices, such as condom use and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), which significantly reduce transmission risks.

"The virus has evolved socially. It’s no longer the same as in the 1980s. Today, heterosexual individuals are increasingly at the center of new infections," Alemán Góngora stated.

Rising Case Numbers

According to the federal government’s Epidemiological Surveillance Bulletin, Yucatán has recorded 182 new HIV cases as of May 3, 2025—five more than the same period last year. Of these, 161 cases involve men and 21 involve women.

In the broader peninsula region, Quintana Roo leads with 378 reported cases, while Campeche has the lowest count at 56.

Silent Spread and Lack of Awareness

Alemán Góngora emphasized that HIV is now spreading silently among populations who do not perceive themselves as high-risk. The first cases in Yucatán, documented in September 1985, were primarily linked to sex workers and men who have sex with men. However, transmission dynamics have shifted.

Gaps in Education and Prevention

The activist criticized the absence of comprehensive sex education and preventive campaigns in schools, exacerbating the issue. Repavih collaborated with Yucatán’s Ministry of Education (Segey) on only two initiatives in 2024.

"We urgently need to return to classrooms. Many young people are engaging in unprotected sex without proper information," Alemán Góngora said.

Despite these challenges, he acknowledged efforts by health authorities to provide antiretroviral treatments and improve access to preventive care, enabling safer sexual practices for those living with or at risk of HIV.