Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy’s Post

📢ATTN healthcare professionals, policymakers, & advocates! A #NEW CDC report reveals that the majority of people with hepatitis C are still awaiting a cure nearly a decade after breakthrough treatments were approved. This is unacceptable. NASTAD calls on our members and partners to commit to fighting for equitable access to treatment for all. To end HIV, viral hepatitis, and intersecting epidemics, we must work together to prioritize communities that are most impacted by injustice. We need a national program to eliminate #hepC and save lives. Read more about the report and join the fight against hepatitis C: https://lnkd.in/gjD6PkMP (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) #HepatitisC #PublicHealth #EndTheEpidemics #HealthEquity

Every year on March 24 we commemorate #WorldTBDay. This year it coincides with a project launch of the NDPHS Expert Group on HIV, Tuberculosis, and Associated Infections. 📊 In the Northern Dimension countries, #TB disease incidence has gone down thanks to successful #control #measures. 🚨 However, a much larger number of people is #latently #infected, forming a reservoir for TB cases in the future. 📝 To better understand the situation, our Expert Group on HIV, TB & AI with Filha leading the project will conduct a study on latent tuberculosis infection in the region. End of
Translation 🎯 The goal of the Latent Tuberculosis Infection Inventory (LTBI) project is to contribute to TB eradication where a proactive and collaborative approach to the management of LTBI is essential. By conducting this comprehensive #study, it is possible to develop #common effective #strategies to improve LTBI management and treatment outcomes in our Partner countries. 🔗 https://shorturl.at/wHQ46

Today, the World Health Organization released its annual report on the state of tuberculosis (TB). The topline? TB is still one of the world's deadliest infectious diseases — and the funding needed to change that is still falling well short. But there's been some promising progress... The TB research and development pipeline has expanded considerably. This includes clinical trials for: 💉16 vaccine candidates 💊 28 drugs for treating the disease 🧪 and several new diagnostic tools. And in 2022, the number of people who received a successful new diagnosis reached a record-breaking high of 7.5 million. This signposts a major global recovery in diagnosis efforts after two years of Covid-related disruptions. But it's not enough. ➡️ Over a million people die from TB every year. ➡️ Drug-resistant TB is still a public health crisis. ➡️ 3 in 5 people don't receive the treatment they need. ➡️ TB is the leading cause of death for people with HIV. Ending the TB epidemic will require much greater funding for research into accessible and affordable solutions – as well as a focus on tackling the growing threat of drug-resistant TB. Read the report ⤵️🔗 https://lnkd.in/eedQFPsq

Do you know that every year, around 1.4 million people die from viral #hepatitis, which is more than the number of deaths caused by HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis combined? Avon Medical is marking #WorldHepatitisDay today, on July 28th to recognize the urgent need to prevent, diagnose, and treat hepatitis. World Hepatitis Day is globally celebrated annually to raise awareness about viral hepatitis. The theme for 2023 this year, is “Hepatitis Can’t Wait.” While many people think that hepatitis is only spread through contact with infected blood or bodily fluids, there are many unexpected ways that one can get hepatitis. Read our article below to learn unexpected ways one can contract hepatitis. https://lnkd.in/gkkNxA2R

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is an infection that attacks the body’s immune system. Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is the most advanced stage of the disease. HIV targets the body’s white blood cells, weakening the immune system. This makes it easier to get sick with diseases like tuberculosis, infections and some cancers. HIV is spread from the body fluids of an infected person, including blood, breast milk, semen and vaginal fluids. It is not spread by kisses, hugs or sharing food. It can also spread from a mother to her baby. #snsinstitutions #snsdesignthinkers #designthinking

It’s #WorldHepatitisDay! Did you know that hepatitis medicines are cheaper now? The new drug prices will significantly reduce the cost of treatment in low- and middle-income countries. In 2021, in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: 🔵 34% of the estimated 12M persons living with hepatitis C infection had been started on treatment 🔵 2% of the estimated 18M living with hepatitis B were on treatment In October 2022, the 69th Regional Committee of the EMR adopted a culturally and epidemiologically adapted regional action plan (RAP) for HIV, Hepatitis and STIs, 2022-2030, with a target to diagnose 90% of hepatitis infections and provide treatment to 80% of those eligible by 2030. Prices for hepatitis diagnostics and treatment have been a barrier for countries and eliminate it as a public health problem. COVID-19 increased diagnostic capacities in countries and hepatitis medicines are cheaper now. We have opportunities to scale up hepatitis testing and treatment in the Eastern Mediterranean Region 🔵 Recent expansion of molecular diagnostic capacity due to COVID 🔵Prices of hepatitis medicines are cheaper now #TreatHepatitis

Clinicians should always consider that HIV/AIDS-positive patients are vulnerable to unexpected and rare infections. In our latest paper, published in BMC Infectious Diseases (BioMed Central, part of the Springer Nature Group, IF=3.7), we described a 57-year-old male HIV-positive patient with disseminated Mycobacterium genavense in the pulmonary, reticuloendothelial, and central nervous systems. According to our comprehensive search through databases, this case is the sixth reported HIV-positive case worldwide with CNS involvement of Mycobacterium genavense. Gratitudes to Dr. malihe hasannezhad for all of the kind and precise guidances. https://lnkd.in/dK3gxs2F

This is not “good news.” Tuberculosis is the number one cause of death in those living with HIV. There were 7.5 Million NEW diagnoses in 2022, according to the recent WHO report. TB increased 26% in US children ages 0-4 last year. Recent Outbreaks: 2 lab workers tested positive at Michigan Department of Health and Human Services in June 2023 (~90 exposed) 500 were reportedly exposed at Clark Memorial Hospital (Indiana) in August 2023 11 confirmed TB cases in California Casino 5 confirmed TB cases in Kansas high school (testing will proceed over 10 weeks among those who consented) 1 TB case at UMass Boston campus - just developing but potentially hundreds exposed TB is airborne just like SARS-Cov-2. When people get sick with SARS-CoV-2, they not only can activate a latent TB infection, but they can also transmit their TB along with SARS-CoV-2 to others (with impaired immune systems from SARS2 which is nearly everyone now with repeated infections). Also, TB can live in bone (just like SARS2) and there’s been ongoing cases linked to contaminated bone grafts. Do you get it now? SARS2/Covid is steroids for disease processes. Wear a respirator. *** Note that tuberculosis is another BSL-3 hazard (just like SARS-CoV-2) and there are laws that require intervention against the spread of this deadly airborne pathogen

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