Guwahati, Sept. 5 -- Health officials in Assam's Hojai district are urging residents to get tested for HIV following an alarmingly growing incidence in the rise of such cases.

This is a testament to a broader trend across the state.

In Hojai alone, 27 new HIV-positive cases were detected between April and June, with one involving a pregnant woman.

Dr. Basudev Malakar, Principal of Hojai Civil Hospital, attributes the spike primarily to unprotected drug use and sexual contact.

The local surge aligns with a state-wide data revealing a critical link between drug use and HIV transmission.

Speaking to Northeast Now, an official from Assam State AIDS Control Society revealed, "The Society has intensified the testing of HIV through campaign...