HIV baby numbers at an all time low, SBS News

Iyke Emeto (Associate Professor, Biostatistics)
Type

MENTION

Title

HIV baby numbers at an all time low

Name of Media Outlet

SBS News

Country

AU

Name of Media Type

PRINT

Date2018
Url

https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/hiv-baby-numbers-at-an-all-time-low/5a8pxlhbw

Description

The number of Australian babies born with HIV transmitted through their mother has dropped to an all time low. A research review published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology found no cases of mother-to-child transmission ( MTCT ) of human immunodeficiency virus ( HIV) since 2013, despite an increase in HIV positive pregnancies. Researchers at James Cook University say the achievement should be commended but warn against complacency if virtual elimination of MTCT is to be achieved. SKIP ADVERTISEMENT They say migrant women in Australia are still at higher risk of HIV exposure during pregnancy and it's important to maintain efforts to prevent them from passing the virus on to their unborn child. "This discussion acknowledges that 'elimination' of MTCT is not a single event but an ongoing process," the authors wrote.