WHO to investigate HIV outbreak in Sindh

KARACHI: An international team of experts from the World Health Organization (WHO) arrived in Pakistan Monday to support the response to an outbreak of HIV in Larkana, Sindh at the request of the Ministry of Health.

Direct General Health Sindh Dr Masood Solangi received the team at Jinnah International Airport. According to Dr Solangi, the team will visit Larkana to meet officials from the Health Department of Sindh and other experts of the country.

According to the spokesperson of WHO, key tasks for the WHO-led team will include ascertaining the source of the outbreak and controlling it; providing technical expertise, particularly in the areas of HIV testing, paediatric HIV treatment and family counseling; and ensuring adequate supplies of rapid diagnostic tests and antiretroviral medicines for both adults and children, as well as single-use needles and syringes.

According to DG Health so far 700 people have been affected by HIV virus which includes 576 children having age from neonatal to 5-years-old.