Wrote: Festim Rizanaj
On August 6, the page on Facebook “Vatani News” and on August 9 "Prizren News" page have published content claiming that AIDS cases are increasing in Kosovo. According to this content, around 90 new cases have been registered this year and 100 patients are being treated.
The post on these pages carried the caption: "❌Alarming❌ AIDS cases are increasing in Kosovo, around 90 new cases this year, while 100 patients are being treated."
The truth?
After verifying the facts, it has been proven that this claim is false.
What the NIPHK says
According to the claim made by these pages, there are 90 cases of AIDS in Kosovo this year.
However, The National Institute of Public Health in Kosovo (NIPHK) reports that the real number of cases is 19 with HIV/AIDS this year. So, according to this institute, until July 31 of this year, 19 new cases of this virus have been registered.
Meanwhile, the claim that 100 patients are being treated is not based on facts, as not even the National Institute of Public Health (NIPHK) has announced how many patients are being treated for HIV/AIDS infection.
The National Institute of Public Health (NIPHK) announced that during the period 1986–2025, a total of 234 cases were registered, of which 53 ended in death as a result of AIDS.
According to media reporting, last year ended with 34 identified cases, unlike 2023, which recorded 20 cases.
The main difference between HIV and AIDS (SIDA) according to the NIPHK is that HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system, while AIDS is the most advanced and severe stage of the infection that develops if HIV is not treated. There is no cure for HIV, but with regular treatment, HIV-positive people can live long and healthy lives, and not transmit the virus to others.
Analyze:
It was claimed by Facebook pages that 90 cases of AIDS have been identified in Kosovo this year and that 100 patients are being treated.
After verifying the facts, it turns out that this claim is false. The National Institute of Public Health and Population reports that only 19 new cases of HIV/AIDS have been registered this year, and this institute does not provide information on the number of patients being treated.
In the period 1986–2025, a total of 234 cases were recorded, of which 53 ended in death as a result of AIDS.
After verifying the facts, hibrid.info considers this claim to be "misinformation".
Reasoning:
"Disinformation" is defined as information content that contains a "mix" of inaccurate sources or even half-truthful attributes, and that is created and/or distributed with the deliberate intention of causing harm. The motive behind the producers/distributors of disinformation content lies in achieving a political, financial, psychological or social goal.