AIDS virus origin traced to Haiti

31 October, 2007

Scientists pursuing the AIDS story have finally zeroed in on Haiti, saying that the deadly virus originated in the Caribbean nation. According to a research report, the predominant strain of the AIDS virus was brought into the US during the late 1960s.

The research report adds that HIV-One group M sub-type B, is the strain of HIV that is predominant in the United States, Europe, large parts of South America, Australia, and Japan. Having zeroed in on Haiti as the place of origin of this virus, the scientists used data to recreate a family tree for the virus, which proved beyond doubt that the the strain came to the United States via Haiti in around 1969. Significantly, once the virus was in the US, it spread fast across the globe making it one of the most deadliest diseases around the world.

Scientists, who were involved in the research, examined archived blood samples from five early AIDS patients and analyzed genetic sequences from another 117 AIDS patients from around the world, the research report added. It is using all these data that they recreated a family tree of the virus to reach a conclusion.

Even as the origin of the AIDS virus strain has been found, the main course of research seems to be far off. A few days ago, scientists at the Queensland Institute of Medical Research had pointed out that a vaccine for HIV was still a long way off.

With the number of people living with HIV rising from 35 million in 2001 to 38 million in 2006, the disease has been claiming more lives than any other infectious disease, a related report said. Worse, the virus has become resistant to several anti-HIV drugs, which means that new compounds need to be discovered.