Mutation of Mosquitoes and HIV: Request WHO to clarify their statement

[Guest guest]

Dear FORUM,

Mutation of Mosquitoes and HIV: Request WHO to clarify their statement.

A statement allegedly made by the WHO team, while investigating the mutated

Encephalitis and West Nile viruses, found in Cherthala taluk of Alappuzha

district in Kerala where more than 100 people died of suspected chikungunya, is

creating unnecessary panic. According to the visiting experts, if this change

continues, the mosquitoes may even become HIV carriers one day. The experts must

explain what them meant. The following is a message from AP and the news wire

item from UNI. [Moderator]

The following is a news item published in Telugu daily EENADU, one of the

largest circulated daily in AP on 15-10-2006. Please clarify this News story to

reduce the stigma attached with HIV/AIDS in AP. The news item focussing the

possibility of HIV spread through mosquito in near future.

The story goes like this, The specialist from World Health Organization and

central Government of India have jointly conducted a study in Alappala district

of Kerala. In the taluq cherthala more than 100 people died. People thought that

the mortality is due to Guinea fever. Very confusing and alarming things were

found in the study conducted by the team. They collected 38 different types of

mosquitoes from the houses of diseased and found that out of these 12 varieties

are most dangerous.

They found strange types of viruses in mosquitoes, hybrid of encephalitis and

west Nile (virus) was found in the mosquitoes. It is also found that an alarming

evolution is taking place in the genetic material of viruses and therefore the

mosquitoes are carrying new viruses in them. If the same evolution continues,

they predict that one day the mosquitoes can carry the HIV too. Previously the

mosquitoes could carry the germs of filariasis here. Presently there is no

congenial environment for the hosting the HIV in mosquitoes but if the evolution

takes place, and mutations takes place in the virus mosquitoes can spread the

HIV/AIDS

My question is, can this happen?

If it can not why this news paper should publish such a hypothetical views to

scare the innocent people. This news item can increase the stigma associated

with HIV to many folds. Why scientist should not condemn it?.

Can you please post this topic for the discussion, so that we can be benefited

by the opinions of experts?

_______________________________

New form of virus found in Cherthala

UNI, Saturday October 14 2006 00:00 IST

ALAPPUZHA: A new generation of a complex form of Japanese Encephalitis and West

Nile viruses has been found in Cherthala taluk of Alappuzha district in Kerala

where more than 100 people died of suspected chikungunya.

According to government doctors here, the Central and the WHO teams, which

visited Cherthala last week, have found that the mutation of Japanese

Encephalitis and West Nile viruses have produced a new generation of virus.

The experts noted that patients in the area have symptoms of both these diseases

showing the presence of a complex form of virus, the doctors added.

The genetic changes in the mosquitoes in the area were also reported to be

unparalleled, as 12 out of 38 species of mosquitoes were found dangerous.

Earlier, the mosquitoes in the area could spread only filariasis but because of

genetic changes, they have become carriers of more than five fever pathogenic

agents.

The experts feel that if this change continues, the mosquitoes may even become

HIV carriers one day, the doctors said.

The process of wiping out mosquitoes is not sufficient as they produce enzymes

to survive pesticides and chemicals. The team has also suggested a detailed

study into the mutation of mosquitoes, the doctors noted.

http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IER20061013131904 & Topic=-162 & Title=K\

erala & Page=R

______________________

Narasimha Swamy Thamatam,

H.No : 2-12-201,

VIDYARANYAPURI, Hanamkonda.

Warangal - Andhra Pradesh.

INDIA - 506009.

Phone : 91-0870-2454433

E-mail: <tnswamy123@...>