By DNA fingerprinting different strains of tuberculosis (TB), investigators from the University of Surrey have been able to show migrants are not responsible for the increased incidence of TB in the UK. Infection patterns in UK-born TB patients suggest many cases are due to reactivation of a previous infection.
New data published in the April edition of the journal AIDS suggests that by 2004, there may be almost 9,000 more individuals living with HIV in England, Wales and Northern Ireland than previously thought. More heterosexuals are receiving HIV care than gay men, the figures indicate. Investigators conclude the increases in HIV infections “will have serious implications for service providers.”
The fastest growing rate of HIV infection in the UK is among heterosexuals in African communities. “Too many Africans, whether infected in Africa or Britain, are presenting so late with symptoms that they are beyond the help of the anti-retrovirals that can remove the automatic death sentence of Aids,” said Trevor Phillips, head of the Commission for Racial Equality. He called for zero tolerance towards all those whose homophobia and prejudices thwarted the fight against the epidemic.
New cases of HIV in Wales doubled last year, according to the principality’s chief medical officer. Dr Ruth Hall told the April BHIVA conference in Cardiff there were 115 new HIV diagnoses across Wales in 2003 and sex between men was still the main route of transmission. The National Public Health Service told PN there were now 419 accessing HIV services in Wales. But the actual number of people living with the virus remains unclear as many patients from South Wales go to Bristol and some from North Wales go to Liverpool for treatment.
At least 550 Scottish NHS patients were infected by hepatitis C through contaminated blood, in the 1970s and 1980s. Families of the deceased want legal action taken against the Health Minister of Scotland, Malcolm Chisholm, for breaking a law on human rights. Hepatitis C has affected almost half a million people in the UK, with nine out of ten people unaware that they are living with it.
The tenth annual Carers’ Week commences on 14 June, 2004. An estimated six million people in Britain care full-time for a friend, partner or relative. “People with caring responsibilities make an enormous contribution to society but many are simply not aware of the support and services available to them. The health of carers often suffer because of this,” says Carers’ Week manager, Paul Matz. The event aims to raise awareness of carers’ issues, promote best practice and publicise the support available to carers. For details, visit: www.carersweek.org
Health Secretary John Reid believes that cultural diversity is what makes the NHS function efficiently. “As a British institution it was launched by a Welshman, its buildings built by Irish labour, its work done by Asian doctors and Caribbean nurses... all working with British colleagues from many ethnic backgrounds. The NHS was based on, and is now run on, diversity,” he adds.
A record number of people visit the web pages of Positive Nation (PN) from across the world. There has been a 50 per cent jump in readership from 2003, with consistent online traffic through the entire day and an average of over 1,500 visitors each day. PN invites a truly international readership base across the world - it has readers from countries like Croatia, Bhutan, Kazakhstan, Brunei Darussalam, and many more besides.
