Tourists May Have Spread HIV

The virus traveled from Mediterranean to colder climes

By M. Farbman Posted 05.22.2009 at 9:18 am 4 Comments

Cala en Turqueta, Menorca J. Braun (GNU Free Documentation License)

A new map of the spread of HIV infection in Europe indicates that the virus traveled from major holiday destinations -- Greece, Portugal and Spain -- to northern European countries, New Scientist reports. A virologist determined how the virus evolved by sequencing parts of the virus genome from subjects throughout Europe -- 1,337 people from at least 11 countries. While a number of Mediterranean countries appeared to be sources for the virus, the UK, Netherlands, Italy, Sweden, Norway, Switzerland, Denmark, Germany and Israel appeared to be hubs, through which the virus both came and went.

Once the virus got to Austria, Belgium and Luxembourg, it appeared to stay put, which, when you think about it, fits into the theory of tourists spreading the virus. None of those three countries are likely going to be high on the list of sexy getaways. The study did not tie a date to transmissions, so it's unclear when these patterns emerged.

[Via New Scientist]

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4 Comments

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Kelminion

05/23/09 at 3:16 am

Seems like a bogus article due to the number 1,337 number of people. That is hacker jargon for LEET, or in other words, ELITE. Has someone been had?

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Juliette

05/23/09 at 4:19 am

Health problems are seen across the globe. Obesity is one of the major health problems of America that rise on both adult and children. Today the world is now being alarmed by the so-called H1N1 swine flu. That’s why having health care is very important as it helps us to stay healthy. There are some people that often refuse to seek medication as it can leave a major strain to their budget. That’s why some people would seek help in financial assistance like credit card in order for them to pay for their medical bills. At last, the CRL takes a stance with what resembles a common sense approach; a call to action regarding something to do with the problem. (Now we have to deal with the horsemen, the rain of fire, and the end of days.) The CRL, or Center for Responsible Lending, has taken aim at credit cards by sponsoring HR 627, or the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009. The Credit CARD Act, as it's called, could ensure more fairness in how card companies deal with customers, and limit things like hidden fees and retroactive interest rate increases. President Obama is on board. The CRL not going after installment loans and targeting an actual predatory lender – it's about time. Check this site for more information: http://personalmoneystore.com/moneyblog/2009/05/13/crl-credit-cards-legislation/.

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SteveMcQwark

05/23/09 at 1:45 pm

lol "1337 people from at least 11 countries"

Yep, the social elite are definitely the people who go to other countries, get STI's and then spread them back home :)

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