Four Bahraini HIV cases have been diagnosed this year, bringing the total number of citizens infected to 26, the state-influenced Gulf Daily News quoted National STD Program Manager Somaya al-Jowder as saying Tuesday. None of this year's cases has progressed to AIDS, she said. No time frame was indicated for the earlier HIV diagnoses; patient genders were not identified. Of the 26 cases, 66 percent were caused by IV drug use, 18 percent through unprotected sex, and the balance from mother-to-child transmission, she said. Since 1987, when Bahrain's first AIDS case was diagnosed, the nation has registered 109 AIDS patients, of whom 87 have died, al-Jowder said. Expatriates who are confirmed HIV-positive in Bahrain are deported; none was included in the count.

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