India, Feb. 25 -- Two thalassemia patients - an 11-year-old girl and a 22-year-old man - have tested positive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in Faridabad after allegedly receiving infected blood during transfusions, health department officials said on Tuesday.

An investigation has been launched to trace the source of the infection, with authorities reaching out to medical facilities in Delhi and Bihar where the patients had previously received transfusions.

Officials said the HIV-positive status of both patients came to light in mid-January after routine blood tests were conducted at Badshah Khan Civil Hospital. The girl, a Class 4 student from near Faridabad's Sector 91, and the man, a resident of Surajkund in Faridabad, are bo...