Cuba is the first country in the world to stop
the transmission of the AIDS virus from mothers to their babies, the
World Health Organization said Monday.
Cuba's also stopped the transmission of syphilis
from mothers to newborns -- two feats that show it's possible to
control epidemics of both infections.
"Eliminating transmission of a virus is one of
the greatest public health achievements possible," said WHO
Director-General Dr. Margaret Chan. "This is a major victory in our long
fight against HIV and sexually transmitted infections, and an important
step towards having an AIDS-free generation."
"Eliminating transmission of a virus is one of the greatest public health achievements possible."
Babies can be infected with HIV at birth or by
breastfeeding if the mother is infected. If the mother gets HIV drugs
before and after giving birth, and if the newborn is given drugs, the
risk falls to less than 1 percent.
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