by Peerzada Arshad Hamid

NEW DELHI, Feb. 6 (Xinhua) -- Investigations into a sudden surge in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infected patients in India's northern state of Uttar Pradesh revealed that the patients were administered injections using a single infected syringe, officials said Tuesday.

"HIV positive cases were found during a medical health camp in Unnao district," Sidharth Nath Singh, local health minister told media. "We later found out that a person has been giving injections using a common syringe to the victims."

Local health officials said at least 21 people have been found to have contracted HIV during a medical camp in the district.

Subsequent investigations by the health department into the cases revealed that the persons were administered injections through a single syringe in the name of cheap treatment.

"All the victims have been admitted in Kanpur medical college hospital for treatment," Singh said. "The accused has been identified and will be arrested soon."

Health officials said taking cognizance of "high number of HIV cases" in the area, a committee was formed to visit various settlements of Bangarmau to investigate the reasons behind the surge.

"Screening camps were held at three places in Bangarmau during which 566 people were examined and of them 21 were found to be infected with HIV," chief medical officer Dr. S P Chaudhary said.

The investigation revealed that the quack in a neighbouring village had used a single syringe for injection in the name of cheaper treatment.

However, local area councillor Sunil Bangarmau puts the number of HIV patients at around 40.

The area councillor told the media if proper tests are done, more cases of HIV would come up.

Reports said officials have set up new camps to spread awareness about HIV and provide check ups.

The fresh cases have come up at a time when the Indian government's health ministry is carrying out aggressive campaigns about the spread of HIV in the country.

The government through advertisements in print and electronic media is making efforts to control the spread of AIDS by educating people about precaution methods.

The HIV targets the immune system and weakens people's defence systems against infections and some types of cancer.

According to World Health Organization, HIV continues to be a major global public health issue, having claimed more than 35 million lives so far.