Australian travellers warned of Asian AIDS resurgence
2 April 2001
HIV infection rates are likely to increase among heterosexual Australians travelling to Asia—especially Bali, Papua New Guinea, Cambodia and Vietnam, warned Professor Peter McDonald at the Asia Pacific Orthopaedic Association’s Congress in Adelaide.
Professor McDonald is Chair of the Clinical Trials and Research Committee for the Australian National Council on AIDS.
‘Asia Pacific is the new epicentre of the AIDS epidemic and the chances of heterosexuals contracting AIDS from sexual or drug contact are now substantially higher in Asia than at the beginning of the epidemic,’ he said.
‘In many countries, 10 per cent to 20 per cent of trauma patients have HIV, making Asia similar to Africa at the beginning of the epidemic. This is a threat to Australia not only in terms of risks to travellers, but also for regional stability.’
During his presentation, Dr McDonald urged medical practitioners to change their practices towards HIV-positive patients to prevent complications from surgery.
‘Infection rates for HIV-positive patients undergoing surgery are abnormally high and Australian medical professionals should consider the use of anti-retroviral (anti-infection) therapy for these patients,’ he said.
Last Reviewed: 06 April 2001
