Police in the West Kazakhstan Region are searching for ten people with confirmed HIV who refused treatment and stopped visiting doctors. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
According to the regional health department, ten patients refused antiretroviral therapy and ceased medical observation. To establish their whereabouts, medics turned to police officers for help.
In total, 755 people with HIV are registered for dispensary observation in the West Kazakhstan Region.
In the first nine months of 2026, 44 new cases of HIV infection were registered in the region. In the same period last year, 55 people were diagnosed.
The main route of transmission of the virus remains sexual contact. According to the health department, 60% of infection cases are linked to heterosexual contacts, and another 13% to homosexual contacts.
The department also noted that no cases of HIV transmission through blood transfusion, dental treatment, or other medical care have been registered in the region.
The number of deceased patients with HIV has also decreased. In 2026, three such cases were registered, compared to four in 2025.
Medics pay special attention to pregnant women with HIV. Currently, 11 such patients are under medical supervision, six of whom have already given birth. Last year, 13 pregnant women were registered, nine of whom gave birth.
At the same time, in 2026, HIV was detected in a five-year-old child in the region. According to specialists, the virus was transmitted to the child from the mother.
The woman did not know about her HIV status. The infection was detected in her only this year during a routine examination at a polyclinic.