Health officials in Cagayan Valley are encouraging individuals to be wary of HIVAIDS (human immunodeficiency virus acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).

This was after Region 2 recorded 1,279 cases from September to November this year.

Dr. Janet Ibay, Department of Health-Center for Health Development medical doctor, said in a Friday news conference that they have launched free HIV screenings every weekend in cooperation with the city health offices in Tuguegarao City and other local government units as the country has been celebrating a month-long World AIDS Day this December.

The health office has targeted workers at parlors, salons and other work sectors who would like to know their HIV-AIDS status in Isabela, Cagayan, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino and Batanes.

Most of those afflicted with the virus were from the 25 to 34 age bracket, with the youngest aged 1 year old and the oldest 67 years old.

Ninety-five percent of the patients afflicted are men and 5 percent are women, most of them have acquired the virus through transmission.