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HIV/AIDS Epidemic Growing Faster in South than Other Regions
AIDS Risk 'Cut by Circumcision'
SA Election Row over AIDS Drugs
FDA Approves Rapid Saliva Test for AIDS Virus
Groups Accuse U.S. of Pushing Brand-Name HIV Drugs
Seven-Point Plan to Fight HIV/AIDS
Need for New TB Test Highlighted on World TB Day
(AP/GAINESVILLE SUN), March 29, 2004—The number of HIV-positive people is rising faster in the South than in any other region of the United States, according to a study presented on Sunday at the American Foundation for AIDS Research 16th National HIV/AIDS Update Conference in Miami. Michelle Scavnicky, community relations director for The AIDS Institute, and CDC researcher Kim Williams presented the study, which examined HIV/AIDS among 17 southern states and the District of Columbia. The study found that people in the South represented 40% of the people living with AIDS and 46% of newly diagnosed AIDS cases in 2002 nationwide, although they accounted for 38% of the U.S. population at that time, according to the.
Full Story: http://kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_hiv.cfm#22909
BALTIMOR (THE BALTIMOR SUN), March 29, 2004—Baltimore Health Commissioner Peter Beilenson has asked FBI to investigate allegations that the executive director of the Baltimore-based AIDS education and service group Health Education Resource Organization misused the organization's funds to hire a personal trainer and give himself thousands of dollars in bonuses. (Shatzkin/Anderson, Baltimore Sun, 3/26). HERO's board of directors last week launched an investigation into HERO Executive Director Dr. Leonardo Ortega's conduct.
Full Story: http://kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_hiv.cfm#22910
MAPUTO (IRIN), March 29, 2004—The long-awaited rollout of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs through public health systems is at last becoming a reality in a growing number of African countries. But the initial excitement greeting the announcement of each new AIDS treatment program is often tempered by a closer examination of the figures, and the realization that only a fraction of those in need will initially be able to access therapy.
Full Story: http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=40303&SelectRegion=Southern_Africa&SelectCountry=AFRICA
(BBC), March 26, 2004—Men who have been circumcised may be six times less likely to contract the HIV virus than uncircumcised men, research carried out in India suggests.
The study in the Lancet journal says that the thin foreskin tissue could be highly prone to HIV infection. The latest study, which backs up earlier research in Africa, was carried out among 2,000-plus men in India. Researchers say circumcision only reduces the risk of HIV infection – other sexual diseases are not affected. A number of studies have shown that circumcision appears to lower the chances of contracting HIV.
Full Story: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/3570223.stm
(BBC), March 26, 2004—South Africa's opposition parties have accused the ANC government of using the Aids crisis to gain votes in next month's general election. A plan to distribute Aids drugs was announced after months of delay on Wednesday, two week before the poll. Following the announcement, the radical Aids lobby group Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) suspended its plans to sue the government. South Africa has highest number of HIV positive people in the world, some 5m. "We are entitled to ask: what took you so long?" said Democratic Party leader Tony Leon. "We are entitled to ask: why do it 14 days before an election? How many lives could have been saved if you'd listened to the voice of reason?" he asked. "HIV/Aids is the ANC government's biggest policy failure," said Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi.
Full Story: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3571121.stm
WASHINGTON (REUTERS), March 26, 2004—The United States approved the first rapid saliva test for the HIV virus that causes AIDS, health officials announced on Friday. The test, made by OraSure Technologies Inc., provides results within 20 minutes. Other approved rapid HIV tests require blood samples. "This oral test provides another important option for people who might be afraid of a blood test," Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson said in a statement. Officials also said the test, called the OraQuick Rapid HIV-1/2, could help on two fronts, encouraging more people to get tested as well as actually receive the results. One-fourth of the roughly 900,000 HIV-infected people in the United States are not aware that they are infected, according to estimates by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Full Story: http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=4672979
WASHINGTON (REUTERS), March 25, 2004—AIDS activist groups teamed up with the international relief group Doctors Without Borders on Thursday to accuse the U.S. government of pushing expensive, brand-name HIV drugs in poor countries. The groups accused the United States of supporting the for-profit pharmaceutical giants that make the drugs, instead of joining the World Health Organization and other groups in distributing much cheaper and easier-to-take generics. The U.S. government has said it is concerned that the generics, which often mix several drugs in one pill, may not be safe or completely effective in the long term. At issue are the drug cocktails that allow patients infected with the AIDS virus to lead healthy lives, as long as they can juggle the complicated drug regimens, which often have serious side-effects. These cocktails, called highly active antiretroviral therapy or HAART, are very expensive. But the World Health Organization and many groups have negotiated cheaper prices from some companies that make them. They have also bought and are distributing cheap copycat versions made by two Indian companies -- Cipla Ltd., and Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd. WHO, U.S. officials, scientists and experts are expected to discuss the issue at a meeting in Botswana next week.
Full Story: http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=4665761
MBABANE (IRIN), March 25, 2004—Swaziland's ailing health care system is expected to undergo major changes this year as the government prepares to tackle increasing rates of HIV/AIDS infection. A seven-point programme of action, focused on addressing HIV/AIDS, is said to be in the pipeline.
Full Story: http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=40160&SelectRegion=Southern_Africa&SelectCountry=SWAZILAND
(AIDSMAP), March 24, 2004—International efforts to combat TB are falling short, despite optimistic statements by the World Health Organisation, because of an international failure to detect TB cases and provide prompt treatment, it emerged today at the Stop TB Partners Fourm in New Delhi, India. WHO set a target of diagnosing 70% TB cases worldwide by 2005, but the Global Tuberculosis Control report issued yesterday shows that only 37% of cases are estimated to be diagnosed. Coupled with an 85% cure rate a detection rate of 70% is predicted to lead to a 6-7% year on year decline in new TB cases.
Full Story: http://www.aidsmap.com/news/newsdisplay2.asp?newsId=2629