Health Officer-In-Charge Maria Rosario Vergeire on Tuesday reminded Filipinos to practice safe sex following reports of rising human immunodeficiency virus infections among teens.

Data from the Health department’s HIV/AIDS Registry of the Philippines showed a total of 1,454 new HIV cases in January, of which 86 were adolescents ranging in age from 19 years down.

Vergeire clarified that the detection of HIV cases among the younger population is not new. “Even before, we have been detecting also cases of HIV among teenagers, however, it is very rare,” she said.

“Our reminder to the public is that HIV does not choose a specific age group. We just need to take extra care and be informed about the source of infection and how we can be protected,” she added.

She urged the use of condoms, as well as people familiarizing themselves with the sexual history of their partners.