Covid variants may be mutating inside people with suppressed immunity.
South African scientists - hailed for their discovery of Omicron - are investigating the "highly plausible hypothesis" that the emergence of new Covid-19 variants could be linked, in some cases, to mutations taking place inside infected people whose immune systems have already been weakened by other factors, including, though not limited to, untreated HIV.
But, as they push ahead with their research, the scientists are anxious to avoid further stigmatising people living with HIV, both in South Africa - home to the world's largest HIV epidemic - and globally. South African scientists have faced criticism - and even death threats on social media - after their recent discovery of the Omicron variant triggered swift, controversial and economically damaging travel bans from Western nations.
"It's saying that we're not worried about immuno-compromised people from the rest of the world. We're just worried if they're black and from Africa," Professor Karim added.South Africa condemned travel restrictions imposed by Western governments In South Africa, nearly eight million people are living with HIV. But about one third of them are not currently taking medication.
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