Do you know how HIV, a virus that can lead to Aids and be deadly, started? And more importantly, do you know how it can be prevented? These are questions you should ask yourself. If you don't know, stay tuned, because the information could save your life.
TED Talks: Viral Pandemics Nathan Wolfe. This is a video clip my class watched last week. I encourage you to see it for yourself on YouTube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMEPV-NTeZs. It started in Africa. In chimpanzees. We learned that native tribes, who hunt bushmeat, and often primates, for food, and these creatures can have HIV. Bushmeat, if you don't know, is animals that live in the forest that you just go into the jungle and hunt for, or set traps for. It sounds cruel and awful, especially killing primates, but it is unfortunately the only source of food for many people.
HIV has spread around the globe. The good news, however, is that Nathan Wolfe has started taking blood tests of the animals so people won't eat dangerous meat. On the other hand, his research has shown that there are also new viruses, and that some are able to jump from animals to people. Not literally jump, but are transferable. Another piece of good news is that Wolfe is monitoring the viruses- keeping track of viral movement so hopefully that will offer new insights to ways to prevent HIV. His valiant goal is to help prevent the spread of viruses, and to be able to monitor it at a global level.
To prevent the spreading of HIV, we need to provide the people who hunt for bushmeat a new food source. Not only will this help the people, but it will help the chimpanzees, too, as they will be less likely to be extinct. The number one way to stay safe is to not draw blood.
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