A new super-mutant HIV strain that makes infected individuals ill twice as fast as current versions of the virus has been detected in the Netherlands.
The new mutant — called the VB variant — has infected at least 109 people, according to a study by Oxford University.
The strain damages the immune system and weakens a person’s ability to fight everyday infections and disease faster than previous versions of the virus.
It means those who catch this strain could develop AIDS more quickly.
The VB variant also has a viral load between 3.5 and 5.5 times higher than the current strain, meaning infected people are more likely to transmit the virus to others.
However, after starting treatment, those with the variant have a similar immune system recovery and survival rate to those infected with other HIV strains.
But the researchers warned the rapid health decline after catching VB means early detection and treatment is ‘critical’.
By analysing genetic variation among the samples, the team estimated that the VB variant first emerged in the late 1980 or 1990s in the Netherlands.
…remember contracting the strain is very easy, it only takes a few seconds of rungu greasing and pap!! Corrupt files are downloaded. Luwere…inakuwa ndio wimbo.
