Guardian: 'People are scared': the fight against a deadly virus [HTLV-1] no one has heard of

https://www.theguardian.com/austral...ht-against-a-deadly-virus-no-one-has-heard-of

 

Wow. This is so terrible. I hope Australia doesn't wait until it becomes a pandemic before acting.

 

Is there any known treatment for this virus? Does it respond to HIV medications?

 

My bold. What is wrong with people that they do this?

The map showing greatest incidence is telling as to why it's neglected.

The Guardian has an international reach these days so I hope this article does some good.

 

This virus has been known about for a long time. Here's an article about it: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laninf/article/PIIS1473-3099(07)70081-6/fulltext

 

Strangely enough, the MRC documents from Kew, which I was reading this morning, mention HTLV-II (not HTLV-I) in connection with ME. They say they're not related, of course. But it's interesting, given that this has just popped up here.

 

The virus has likely been in Australia for as long as people have been in Australia...

Antiretroviral drugs have been shown to work in vitro, not sure about large clinical trials though. In any event, the key is to get the virus under control before the person develops lymphoma.