 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
UN Warns Of Possible HIV/AIDS Explosion In Somalia
Nairobi (AFP) Aug 16, 2005 The United Nations warned Tuesday of an explosion of HIV/AIDS in lawless Somalia unless steps are taken quickly to stop the spread of the deadly disease and reduce numerous risk factors. The latest edition of the UN's monthly report on the humanitarian situation in Somalia said current infection rates were relatively low in areas where testing has been done compared to other parts of Africa, but could rise dramatically. "The findings show that HIV will soon become a major health problem if concerted efforts are not put in place to contain the vulnerability factors fueling the epidemic," the report said, citing a survey carried out in 2004. The survey found Somalia's average HIV infection rate to be 0.9 percent but with "zonal variations," particularly in its two self-declared autonomous regions of Puntland and Somaliland, where the average was one and 1.4 percent respectively. Poor education, high mobility, the transfusion of unsafe blood and negative cultural practices, including female circumcision and commercial sex, were some of the "vulnerability factors" the report said needed to be addressed. Somalia, a nation of about 10 million people, has been without a functioning government since the 1991 ouster of dictator Mohamed Siad Barre plunged the Horn of Africa country into anarchy. Humanitarian groups have in the past warned of a possible explosion of HIV/AIDS when tens of thousands of Somali refugees return home if current efforts to restore a government succeed. Community Email This Article Comment On This Article Related Links SpaceDaily Search SpaceDaily Subscribe To SpaceDaily Express Epidemics on Earth - Bird Flu, HIV/AIDS, Ebola
Less Threatening Bird Flu
Washington (UPI) Jan 11, 2006Talk about good news and bad news: While more cases of avian flu are identified in both birds and humans in Turkey, the first possible signs emerged that the virus itself might not be as lethal as feared. |
|
|
| The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2006 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA PortalReports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additionalcopyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement |
