Connect with us

World

Scientists discover new ‘highly transmissible’ HIV variant in Netherlands

Published

on

Scientists have announced the discovery of a new “highly virulent” strain of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in the Netherlands.

The variant, referred to as the subtype-B HIV-1 and dubbed the VB variant, is said to produce higher levels of viral load in infected patients than those affected with other variants.

The discovery of the new variant was contained in a study funded by the European Research Council (ERC) and the Hong Kong-based Li Ka Shing Foundation.

According to the research paper published on Thursday, the strain was detected in a total of 109 individuals out of over 6,000 persons who participated in the study.

Out of the 109 cases recorded, two were found in Switzerland and Belgium, while the others were discovered in the Netherlands.

The variant is said to have been traced to genetic sequencing linked to the 1990s and it evolves quickly into advanced HIV if not treated on time.

“We characterized the variant’s genotype and evolutionary history, as well as its association with high viral loads, rapid decline of CD4 cells, and increased transmissibility. We found 109 individuals with the variant (VB individuals) whose age, sex, suspected mode of transmission, and region of birth are all typical for people living with HIV in the Netherlands,” the study reads.

“This suggests that the observed association is causal: The increased virulence is a property of the virus rather than a confounding property of individuals in this transmission cluster.

“Without treatment, advanced HIV is expected to be reached in only 9 months (CI: 2 to 17) from the time of diagnosis for VB individuals, compared with 36 months (CI: 33 to 39) for non-VB individuals, in males diagnosed at the age of 30 to 39 years.

“Advanced HIV is reached even more quickly in older age groups, and there is considerable variation between individuals around these expected values.

“Many individuals could therefore progress to advanced HIV by the time they are diagnosed, with a poorer prognosis expected thereafter in spite of treatment.

“In practice, there is still substantial variation in the delay from becoming infected to starting treatment, making the VB variant a concern even in the high-awareness and highly monitored context of the Dutch HIV-1 epidemic.”

The researchers also called for improved treatment options for persons living with HIV, as part of efforts to prevent serious complications.

“Our discovery of a highly virulent and transmissible viral variant therefore emphasizes the importance of access to frequent testing for at-risk individuals and of adherence to recommendations for immediate treatment initiation for every person living with HIV (www.who.int/hiv/pub/arv/),” they added.

World

Former US President Bill Clinton hospitalised with fever

Published

on

By

Bill Clinton, the former US president who has faced a series of health issues over the years, was admitted to hospital Monday in Washington after developing a fever, his office said.

“President Clinton was admitted to Georgetown University Medical Center this afternoon for testing and observation after developing a fever,” the 78-year-old’s deputy chief of staff Angel Urena said on social media platform X, adding Clinton “remains in good spirits.”

Bill Clinton was previously hospitalized for five nights in October 2021 due to a blood infection.

In 2004, at age 58, he underwent a quadruple bypass operation after doctors found signs of extensive heart disease. He had stents implanted in his coronary artery six years later.

The health scare motivated him to make lifestyle changes, including adopting a vegetarian diet, and he has since spoken publicly about his efforts.

Clinton’s health last made headlines in November 2022 when he tested positive for Covid-19. He said at the time that his symptoms were “mild” and he was “grateful to be vaccinated and boosted.”

Clinton, who led the United States for two presidential terms from 1993-2001, is the second-youngest living US president, after 63-year-old Barack Obama.

He was born mere months after fellow former US president George W. Bush and President-elect Donald Trump.

Though his prosperous time in office was marred by scandals, he has enjoyed a second life in the two decades after his presidency, which has seen him venture into numerous diplomatic and humanitarian causes.

Continue Reading

World

Trump dismisses claims of handing presidency to Musk as ‘hoax’

Published

on

By

Could Elon Musk, who holds major sway in the incoming Trump administration, one day become president? On Sunday, Donald Trump answered with a resounding no, pointing to US rules about being born in the country.

“He’s not gonna be president, that I can tell you,” Trump told a Republican conference in Phoenix, Arizona.

“You know why he can’t be? He wasn’t born in this country,” Trump said of the Tesla and SpaceX boss, who was born in South Africa.

The US Constitution requires that a president be a natural-born US citizen.

Trump was responding to criticism, particularly from the Democratic camp, portraying the tech billionaire and world’s richest person as “President Musk” for the outsized role he is playing in the incoming administration.

As per ceding the presidency to Musk, Trump also assured the crowd: “No, no that’s not happening.”

The influence of Musk, who will serve as Trump’s “efficiency czar,” has become a focus point for Democratic attacks, with questions raised over how an unelected citizen can wield so much power.

And there is even growing anger among Republicans after Musk trashed a government funding proposal this week in a blizzard of posts — many of them wildly inaccurate — to his more than 200 million followers on his social media platform X.

Alongside Trump, Musk ultimately helped pressure Republicans to renege on a funding bill they had painstakingly agreed upon with Democrats, pushing the United States to the brink of budgetary paralysis that would have resulted in a government shutdown just days before Christmas.

Congress ultimately reached an agreement overnight Friday to Saturday, avoiding massive halts to government services.

Continue Reading

World

Seven confirmed dead in Western Mexico plane crash

Published

on

By

At least seven people died when a light aircraft crashed Sunday in a heavily forested area of Jalisco in western Mexico, local authorities reported.

The aircraft, a Cessna 207, was flying from La Parota in the neighbouring state of Michoacan.

Jalisco Civil Protection said via its social media that the crash site was in an area that was difficult to access.

Initial authorities on the scene “reported a preliminary count of seven people dead,” who haven’t been identified yet, according to the agency.

“A fire was extinguished and risk mitigation was carried out to prevent possible additional damage,” it added.

Authorities said they were awaiting the arrival of forensic investigators to remove the bodies and rule out the presence of additional victims.

Continue Reading

Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others

Most Read...