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Start Monitoring New HIV Variant - Govt Advised

Start Monitoring New HIV Variant - Govt Advised

Health experts have tipped government to revisit HIV and Aids management systems amid international reports of a new strain of the virus which is said to be more severe than the current variant of HIV.

Director of Health at the CCAP Synod of Livingstonia, Mphatso Nguluwe has told Zodiak in an interview that Capitol Hill and its HIV and Aids implementing partners like National Aids Commission should immediately start working on measures of containing the virus than waiting for the country to be hit.

“This is the right time to start monitoring the situation around the globe. It will give an idea of how to manage the situation if it registered in the country,” advised Ngulube.

The just discovered Super Strain HIV virus tested in the Netherlands and some West European countries is said to be faster at weakening the immune system of the patient found with it compared to other variants.

A Blantyre-based health commentator, Maziko Matenda says Capitol Hill should immediately up its surveillance health systems aimed at protecting its citizens from the variant of HIV.

Said Matemba, ``there is a need for Malawians to know about this type of HIV virus. People need information in good.

Ministry of Health Spokesperson Adrian Chikumbe repeatedly asked for more time to comment on the new variant called Super Strain HIV virus.

International media is reporting that the virus also being called VB variant is more severe than the current virus.

About 500,000 people have died of Aids-related diseases in Malawi between 1985 when the first case was discovered to 2001.

The HIV infection rates are lower in the country's rural areas but are on the increase and currently average about 11 percent for sexually active adults.

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Last modified on Monday, 14/02/2022

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