News (Updated May 3, 2010)

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US congratulates China on lifting HIV visitors ban

(AFP)

wpe1.jpg (7321 bytes)WASHINGTON — US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton congratulated China on Thursday for lifting travel restrictions for foreigners with HIV and AIDS.

"I am encouraged by the growing international consensus against discriminatory HIV-based travel restrictions, and I congratulate China on being a part of this progress," the top US diplomat said in a statement.

Clinton noted that the United States lifted its own restrictions on foreign travellers with HIV and AIDS, which had been in place since 1987, in January.

" China 's step, like our earlier action, is supported by current medical knowledge of HIV transmission and risk. And it will help reduce the stigma and discrimination around HIV/AIDS that fuel the global pandemic and too often prevent people from accessing much-needed services," Clinton said.

China announced Tuesday it would lift the restrictions ahead of the opening Saturday of the Shanghai World Expo, which is expecting up to 100 million visitors during its six-month run.

Copyright © 2010 AFP. All rights reserved.

 

HUNDREDS of England fans risk returning with HIV

Sexual health clinics are "bracing themselves" for cases of the virus which is rife in the country, said TV doctor Christian Jessen.

His warning comes amid fears supporters will have unprotected sex at one of the many brothels springing up to cash in on football followers visiting from around the world.

Dr Jessen urged fans to use a condom - and to try to "think sensibly" after drinking.

The doctor, who presents Channel 4's Embarrassing Bodies, said: "You get a bit p***** up and make errors of judgment.

"We may well see a lot of people coming home bringing HIV with them because levels of HIV and infections like syphilis are very high in Africa ."

He added: "People need to be very, very careful and sensible. I'm sure sexual health clinics are bracing themselves for people returning with all sorts of things - maybe some we don't often see in England ."

Dr Jessen said fans travelling around Africa after the tournament should also guard against malaria.

He added: "Men are useless at thinking about things like that, but it's a wild country."

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