Comment: Dr Ben Neuman on a new study which suggests drastic action is needed to stop AIDS resurgence
Release Date 25 June 2015
Dr Ben Neuman, Virologist, University of Reading, says the report, while encouraging, also warns that unless we find new ways to tackle HIV it will still be a major killer in the next century.
"Two things are clear from the report - the scale of the HIV epidemic is immense but there continues to be slow, steady progress in bringing down the number of new infections.
"The greatest headway has been in delivering antiviral medicine to Africa, where HIV began and where the treatment can have the biggest impact. Around nine million infected Africans are now receiving drugs that will slow down the destructive effects of AIDS and prolong lives.
"On the whole this report is encouraging - but it also acts as a warning. Unless we find new ways to tackle HIV, this creeping killer disease will follow humanity into the twenty-second century."