HIV/AIDS patients face swine flu risk, claims WHO
28/07/2009
The ongoing H1N1 pandemic is presenting a number of difficulties for people with compromised immune systems, including those living with HIV/AIDS, claims the World Health Organization (WHO).
Recent data suggests that those living in the Western Pacific region face a strong risk of developing swine flu because of the lack of medical treatment available and the dominance of the flu virus.
According to the WHO/UNAIDS/Unicef Universal Access Report of 2008, just 28 per cent of HIV/AIDS patients are receiving the antiretroviral treatment, compared to a global 31 per cent. There are also added health complications in the region that could make people more vulnerable.
WHO medical officer Dr Jacob Kool explained: "People in the Pacific have a lot of risk factors, obesity and heart disease, but also diabetes and heart disease, they have some of the highest rates in the world here."
He added that previous pandemics have led to the development of severe illnesses across the Pacific.
WHO figures show that there have been more than 700 deaths related to the H1N1 pandemic since the start of the year, with UNAIDS estimating that around 1.9 per cent of adults in Papua New Guinea are living with HIV.
Written by David Cooke
