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HIV Drug Resistance Spreading in China, Researcher Says
As HIV spreads beyond high-risk groups into China's general population, drug-resistant strains of the virus also are appearing in parts of the country, Chen Zhiwei of the AIDS Institute in Hong Kong said recently, Reuters reports. According to Chen, the two trends are "alarming" and people living with HIV in China could face treatment obstacles because relatively few antiretroviral drugs are available in the country. "All these drug-resistant mutations are in China now, they are emerging in Chinese patients," he said, adding, "The major worry is whether the drug-resistant virus will spread. We are studying whether that is happening, but that will be the case if you don't provide proper treatment. If drug-resistant virus (strains) spread in China, we don't have enough selection of (drugs) that are made available."
According to Reuters, about seven of the more than 20 different antiretrovirals are available in China, meaning that HIV-positive people might be left with limited options if they develop resistance to certain drugs. In addition, treatment adherence can be low in rural parts of China because of a lack of knowledge among patients, low access to health care and inadequate numbers of health care workers to explain the importance of adherence.
Chen's comments follow a study published last week in the journal Nature that found how HIV cases are increasing among women and men who have sex with men in the country. "The virus is moving into the general population," Chen said, adding, "Signs are prevalent among women and" in mother-to-child transmission. Chen also said if "there is no good prevention, transmissions will suddenly explode." According to Chen, China's open southern border is a concern, and an HIV strain recorded in Yunnan province also has been detected in Thailand and Myanmar. He added that this could be explained by women working as commercial sex workers in other countries and returning to China. In addition, travelers crossing China's southern border could be contributing to the situation, Chen said (Ee Lyn, Reuters, 10/10).
Source: http://kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=54931
Thai "Condom King" Wins Gates Health Award
A non-profit family-planning group founded by Thailand's "Condom King" has won the $1 million Gates Award for Global Health, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation said on Tuesday.
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China Shares Bird Flu Sample.
WHO China has shared human bird flu samples for the first time in more than a year, giving a boost to international efforts to track the deadly H5N1 virus and develop vaccines, the World Health Organisation said on Friday.
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U.N. Urges HIV Testing for All Patients in Hard-Hit Nations
U.N. health officials on Wednesday called on nations with severe AIDS epidemics to offer routine, confidential HIV tests to all patients at health-care facilities in hopes of dramatically expanding the number of those who know they have the virus.
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WHO Official Says Flu Pandemic "Almost Certain"
A flu pandemic is almost certain to occur in the long term, but the likelihood of a large-scale outbreak in the next few years is less clear, a World Health Organization official said on Thursday.
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TB Patient Fled Ahead of Health Authorities
A man infected with a dangerous strain of tuberculosis fled across Europe to avoid detention, taking flight after flight to stay ahead of public health officials.
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Abbott Fund Increases Commitment to Fight Against HIV/AIDS in Tanzania
Further deepening its commitment to the fight against HIV/AIDS in Africa, Abbott Fund announced today that it is opening a new program office in Tanzania to manage its extensive HIV/AIDS philanthropic efforts and partnerships there.
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WHO Calls for Massive Expansion in HIV Testing
Voluntary HIV tests should be offered to all patients attending clinics, for whatever reason, in countries where AIDS is widespread, the World Health Organisation said on Wednesday.
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Bush to Seek Extension of AIDS Effort
President to Ask for $30 Billion to Double U.S. Contribution.
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(Source: Global Health Council)
