The Importance of Regular Viral Load Testing in HIV-Positive Individuals
December 27th 2016The 90-90-90 goal from the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS has three prongs: By 2020, 90% of people with HIV worldwide will be aware of their status; 90% of HIV+ people will have access to treatment; and 90% of those with HIV will have a suppressed viral load. Money and training are key.
CDC Designates Zika Cautionary Area in Texas
December 26th 2016On December 14, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Zika-related travel and testing guidance for Brownsville, Texas and the surrounding area after local officials confirmed 5 cases of the virus linked to local mosquitoes.
Zika Test Yields False Positives as Brazilian Women Continue to Avoid Pregnancy
December 24th 2016Today, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a safety document cautioning healthcare providers from relying solely on commercial IgM Assay results when diagnosing Zika, as false positives have been observed.
EMA Releases New Guidelines for Direct-acting Antivirals in Patients with Hepatitis C
December 23rd 2016The European Medicines Agency (EMA) released guidelines recommending screening for hepatitis B in patients who are infected with hepatitis C prior to starting treatment with direct-acting antivirals.
First-ever High-level UN General Assembly Meeting on TB to be Held in 2018
December 22nd 2016Following a recent unanimous decision by United Nations General Assembly member states, the intergovernmental organization has announced it will be holding a high-level meeting in 2018 on the fight against tuberculosis (TB), the first-ever meeting of its kind.