First solid evidence that viral transmission through breast milk can be prevented by a drug Nevirapine HIV drug. – An antiretroviral drug already in widespread use in the developing world to prevent the transmission of HIV from infected mothers to their newborns during childbirth has also been found to substantially cut the risk of subsequent HIV transmission during breast-feeding.
Maharashtra has proposed the testing for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) be made compulsory before marriage in the state. – The Indian state Maharashtra government has proposed the testing for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) be made compulsory before marriage in the state. If the decision is made into law, Maharashtra would be the first state in the India to have such a scheme.
Pakistani authorities culled thousands of birds to control an outbreak of avian flu at poultry farms in the city of Karachi. – A new outbreak of the avian flu in Pakistan reported by the Pakistani authorities, and authorities took steps to cull a large number of birds at a poultry farm in the Karachi city, where 5,500 chickens died of the deadly disease earlier this week.
University of Minnesota researchers have begun studying a new drug to treat infectious mononucleosis, commonly known as mono. – University of Minnesota researchers have begun studying a new drug to treat infectious mononucleosis, commonly known as mono. The goal of the study is to find out if people who take the antiviral drug valomaciclovir recover from mono faster.
Preliminary results from a survey of antiviral drug susceptibility among seasonal influenza viruses circulating in Europe has revealed that some of the A (H1N1) viruses in circulation this winter are resistant to the antiviral drug, oseltamivir (also know by the brand name Tamiflu). – Preliminary surveillance into antiviral drug susceptibility against seasonal flu viruses currently circulating in Europe has revealed that some of the A (H1N1) viruses (13%) have shown resistance to the antiviral drug, oseltamivir (Tamiflu). These viruses however, remain sensitive to the antivirals, zanamivir and amantadine.
Bird flu in new areas in West Bengal, India. Samples collected from the Howrah district, Birbhum district and Nadia district have tested positive for Avian Influenza virus. – Bird flu samples collected from the Panchla block of Howrah district, Suri-I, Mayureswar-I and Nanoor blocks of Birbhum district and Kalyani municipality of Nadia district have tested positive for Avian Influenza virus.
Toronto Public Health officials issued a health alert Wednesday night after hundreds of flea market shoppers may have been exposed to three rabid puppies for sale. – Toronto Public Health is investigating human exposure to rabies from dogs purchased at a Toronto flea market. One puppy purchased at booth #1513 at Dr. Flea’s Hwy 27 and Albion Rd. Flea Market on Sunday, January_13 tested positive for rabies after being brought to the Toronto Humane Society.
Researchers in the Department of Medicine and Department of Neurosciences at Mount Sinai School of Medicine have discovered that chronic pain can be successfully treated with novel targeted gene therapy. – Now, chronic pain can be successfully treated with novel targeted gene therapy. In an effort to find a more effective treatment for chronic pain, researchers at Mount Sinai developed a gene therapy technique that simulates the pain-killing effect of opiate drugs.
Ebola virus ranks among the most feared of exotic pathogens, due to its virulent nature, and because no vaccines or treatments are available. – The deadly Ebola virus, an emerging public health concern in Africa and a potential biological weapon, ranks among the most feared of exotic pathogens. Due to its virulent nature, and because no vaccines or treatments are available, scientists studying the agent have had to work under the most stringent biocontainment protocols, limiting research to a few highly specialized labs and hampering the ability of scientists to develop countermeasures.
Bird flu situation in West Bengal, eastern India, had not worsened, instead it is showing signs of “overall improvement”. – Bird flu situation in West Bengal, eastern India, had not worsened, instead it is showing signs of “overall improvement”, said state Animal Resources Minister Anisur Rehman, “the state had set a target to cull 4,00,000 chickens within seven days of which 60,000-70,000 had already been culled”.
Prodesse’s ProFlu+ Test for Respiratory Viruses receives FDA clearance for Marketing Real-Time Test, detects four viruses, including influenza; results available in about 3 hours. – Prodesse, Inc., the leader in multiplex real-time PCR for infectious disease, announced that it received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market its ProFlu+? Assay.
A new strategy to hunt for human viruses described in this week?s issue of the journal Science by the husband-and-wife team who found the cause of Kaposi’s sarcoma has revealed a previously unknown virus strongly associated with another rare but deadly skin cancer called Merkel cell carcinoma. – Researchers using sequencing technique discovered a new cancer virus Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCV) causing Kaposi’s sarcoma, is associated with another rare but deadly skin cancer called Merkel cell carcinoma.
