Disease/Infection News

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HIV travel bans violate human rights, hurt business

Writing in the Huffington Post's "Impact" blog, Chip Bergh, president and CEO of Levi Strauss & Co., and Kenneth Cole, CEO of Kenneth Cole Productions and chair of the Board of amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, discuss why some CEOs oppose HIV travel bans.

30 Nov 2012

Number of new HIV/AIDS cases in China increases over 2011

"The number of new HIV/AIDS cases in China jumped in the first 10 months of the year, as premier-in-waiting Li Keqiang promised to let non-governmental groups play a bigger role in fighting an epidemic spreading fast in vulnerable groups," Reuters reports.

30 Nov 2012

More than 40 CEOs urge 45 countries to lift HIV travel restrictions

In a joint initiative headed by GBC Health, UNAIDS, and Levis Strauss & Co., more than 40 CEOs have signed a pledge urging 45 countries to repeal policies and laws restricting travel for people living with HIV, TakePart.com reports.

30 Nov 2012

Fully funded Global Fund key to preventing MTCT of HIV

"HIV is the leading cause of death of women of reproductive age," and without HIV, "maternal mortality worldwide would be 20 percent lower," Lucy Chesire, executive director and secretary to the Board of the TB ACTION Group, writes in the Huffington Post's "The Big Push" blog.

30 Nov 2012

AIDS.gov blog publishes posts leading up to World AIDS Day

Leading up to World AIDS Day on December 1, the AIDS.gov blog published several pieces discussing progress in reaching the goal of an AIDS-free generation.

30 Nov 2012

Project shows simple steps reduce hospital infections

Seven health care institutions participated in a quality-improvement project advanced by the Joint Commission and the American College of Surgeons to reduce colorectal surgical-site infection rates. During a two and a half year period, those facilities saved more than $3.7 million by avoiding 135 infections.

30 Nov 2012

Many adult entertainment club workers do not have access to basic healthcare

It probably won't come as a surprise to hear that most adult entertainment club workers - exotic dancers and other female club employees such as bartenders, waitresses and hostesses - don't have great medical benefits. The nature of their work makes them easy prey for repeated unwanted sexual advances and behavior. Add in the prevalence of risky sexual behavior and substance abuse and you've got a perfect storm for unchecked health risks.

30 Nov 2012

First Edition: November 30, 2012

Today's headlines include news about the continuing partisan back and forth regarding "fiscal cliff" negotiations as well as reports on the health law's implementation.

30 Nov 2012

VAC-3S immunotherapeutic vaccine for HIV completes first clinical development phase

InnaVirVax, a biopharmaceutical company specialized in research and development on therapeutic and diagnostic solutions for diseases linked to immune dysregulation, has just announced successful completion of the first clinical development phase for VAC-3S immunotherapy in the treatment of HIV infections.

30 Nov 2012

Study shows how anaplasma phagocytophilum subverts natural processes

Bacteria that cause the tick-borne disease anaplasmosis in humans create their own food supply by hijacking a process in host cells that normally should help kill the pathogenic bugs, scientists have found.

30 Nov 2012

PEPFAR, Zimbabwe will continue to work together, improve country ownership

Recognizing World AIDS Day is December 1, U.S. Ambassador to Zimbabwe David Bruce Wharton writes in a Herald opinion piece, "Ending AIDS is a shared responsibility. ... Everyone has a role to play -- government leaders, the private sector, multilateral organizations, civil society, media, faith-based organizations, and each one of us."

30 Nov 2012

Haiti, Dominican Republic to seek $2.2B over 10 years for cholera elimination plan

"Haiti and the Dominican Republic will require $2.2 billion over the next 10 years for an ambitious plan to eliminate cholera, an official from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] said Wednesday," the Associated Press/NewsOK reports.

30 Nov 2012

Secretary Clinton to unveil PEPFAR Blueprint at event on Thursday; White House event to commemorate World AIDS Day

"On Thursday November 29, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will commemorate World AIDS Day 2012 and unveil the PEPFAR Blueprint: Creating an AIDS-free Generation that provides a roadmap for how the U.S. government will work to help achieve an AIDS-free generation," a Department of State press notice reports, noting, "Secretary Clinton will be joined by Ambassador Eric P. Goosby, U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator."

30 Nov 2012

JQ1 cancer drug may be useful in purging latent HIV infection

Breakthrough drugs have made it possible for people to live with HIV longer than ever before, but more work must be done to actually cure the disease. One of the challenges researchers face involves fully eradicating the virus when it is latent in the body.

30 Nov 2012

CSL, PharmaJet partner for needle-free delivery of Afluria influenza vaccine

PharmaJet Inc. has entered into a collaboration with CSL Limited to enable Afluria influenza vaccine to be delivered with the PharmaJet Stratis needle-free jet injector, as soon as the 2013-2014 flu season.

30 Nov 2012

Study: Only one third of MSM can easily access HIV services

A large-scale study of gay men and other men who have sex with men (MSM), conducted by the Global Forum on MSM & HIV (MSMGF), indicates that only one third of MSM can easily access condoms, lubricant, HIV testing, and HIV treatment.

29 Nov 2012

RIVA fully automated IV compounding system ahead of competitors in overall performance

RIVA, the fully automated IV compounding system manufactured by Intelligent Hospital Systems (IH Systems), is ahead of competitors in overall performance, meeting business case expectations and customer satisfaction, according to a new study of IV automation systems by independent healthcare research firm KLAS.

29 Nov 2012

Bend Research, PATH and FhCMB develop new technology for thermostable vaccine production

Bend Research Inc., PATH, and Fraunhofer USA Center for Molecular Biotechnology (FhCMB) announce the development of a new technology for the production of thermostable vaccines. Utilizing novel formulation and spray-drying processing methods, the technology has enabled scientists at Bend Research, PATH, and FhCMB to develop a spray-dried influenza vaccine product that is stable at 50°C for over 2 months. The technology can also be applied to emerging influenza and other vaccines.

29 Nov 2012

Naked AIDS protesters arrested in Boehner's congressional office

Seven people took their clothes off in a House office building Tuesday to protest cuts to AIDS funding, and three women were arrested. The group was joined by dozens of other -- clothed -- protesters.

29 Nov 2012

Reflecting on U.S. military's contribution to global AIDS response

"As we look forward to World AIDS Day this year, I'm amazed at how far we've come in the battle against HIV and how effectively U.S. government agencies continue to work collaboratively towards an AIDS-free generation," Richard Shaffer, director of the U.S. Department of Defense HIV/AIDS Prevention Program, writes in the AIDS.gov blog.

29 Nov 2012