New Jersey Experts Concerned About New Potential HIV Strain

Health experts in New Jersey are concerned about reports of a drug-resistant strain of HIV in neighboring New York.

Dr. Eddy Bresnitz, head of the state Division of HIV/AIDS Services, says the New York case “is another wake-up call to those who have become complacent.”

The New York man has told health officials that he has had unprotected sex with numerous partners while using the drug crystal methamphetamine, prompting a fear that the virus has spread.

Dr. Jerry Levine is chief of infectious diseases at Hackensack University Medical Center. He says there should be “great concern that we might see the number of resistant patients increase.”

Other physicians said it was too early to draw any conclusions from the New York case.

Provided by ArmMed Media
Revision date: June 14, 2011
Last revised: by Janet A. Staessen, MD, PhD