Aggressive HIV strain emerges in Caribbean region

(CNS): Cayman health officials are urging the public to practice safe sex at all times, both at home and abroad, as details emerge in the region of a new and aggressive staring of HIV-1. There are already more than 60 epidemic strains of the HIV-1 virus that have been documented but the new strain, identified as CRF19, is said to  progress from infection to full blown AIDS far quicker than other known strains, medical experts have warned.

Acting medical officer of health Dr Samuel Williams, explained that the new strain of human immunodeficiency virus is a recombinant form of HIV.

“The recombinant virus strains originate when a person is infected by two different strains, whose DNA fuse to create a new form,” he said. “Recombinants seem to be more vigorous and more aggressive than the strains from which they developed. In the case of CRF19, patients are reportedly transitioning from infection to AIDS in three years, two-and-a-half years faster than either of the parent strains.”

Coordinator for the Cayman Islands HIV/AIDS programme, Nurse Laura Elniski, said that when two HIV strains meet in an infected person they can exchange bits of their genetic material to create a new virus.

She said it is important for everyone, even those already living with the HIV virus, to adhere to treatment regimens and use condoms with all partners, including people already infected. Having unprotected sex with multiple partners exposes a person to numerous strains of the HIV virus. Research has found that when this occurs, the different strains can combine and form a new variant of the virus.

According to the scientific press, the strain was identified in Cuba during a study conducted by researchers from Belgium, who have described the virus as a more pathogenic.

The most recent data from the World Health Organization (WHO) suggests that 35 million people worldwide are now living with HIV/AIDS. The Caribbean region has the second highest prevalence rates behind Sub Saharan Africa.

The first case of AIDS in the Cayman Islands emerged during 1985 and since then there have been 123 HIV infections. 72 people have developed AIDS and 43 have died. Currently there are 62 people living with HIV in the Cayman Islands.

“Given the emergence of the new strain of HIV, and regional efforts underway to control the epidemic in the Caribbean and Latin America,” said Dr Williams, “it is now more important than ever to practice safe sex.”

Regional  efforts to combat the virus have included setting new targets and benchmarks for expanding HIV testing and treatment by 2020, in an effort to reduce new HIV infections, late diagnosis and AIDS-related deaths, as well as to improve the quality of life of people living with HIV.

The Public Health Department in collaboration with the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARHA) will continue to monitor the situation regarding CRF 19.

But health officials urged people who are sexually active to get tested regularly. An individual’s awareness of their HIV-status plays a key role in preventing infection and lowering the incidence of the disease.

For more information on the prevention of HIV or to make an appointment to be tested, persons should contact the STI /HIV Coordinator on 244 2507 or Therese Prehay, Health Promotion Officer on 244-2632.