CDC REPORTS ON MOTHER-TO-CHILD TRANSMISSION PREVENTION IN AFRICA

FROM: U.S. CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL CDC reports progress, innovations and challenges in scaling-up Prevention of Mother-to-Child-Transmission (PMTCT) efforts in AfricaResearch and analysis from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Preventing Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) presented at the XIX International AIDS Conference reveal mother-to-child transmission has decreased in South Africa, provides insights into new clinical and laboratory data in resource-limited settings, and highlights the application of best practices in Mozambique.

CDC plays an essential role in implementing the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through its scientific and technical expertise, and long-standing partnerships with Ministries of Health and other key global partners such as the World Health Organization. Presentations at the conference reflect CDC’s commitment to fighting global HIV/AIDS and to achieving President Obama and Secretary Clinton’s call to action to achieve an AIDS-free generation.

Mother-to-child-transmission decreases in South Africa
One year after implementing the 2010 WHO Option-A PMTCT recommendation of using the antiretroviral (ART) drug nevirapine as preventive treatment in South Africa, mother-to-child-transmission of HIV decreased to less than three percent when measured at 4-8 weeks after mothers gave birth. According to collaborating CDC researcher, Thu-Ha Dinh,thedata suggest that early ART initiation is likely to increase effectiveness and prevent transmission of infection from mother to child.