/ 7 July 1999

NEW ‘STEALTH VIRUS’ FOUND

A NEW disease causing virus capable of evading the body’s immune system has been detected by researchers, Medinfo reported in Johannesburg on Tuesday. According to Medinfo, the virus, called “stealth virus” by researchers, can steal genes from its host and rob bacteria of their genes too. “This means that the virus can infiltrate the body undetected, and then rob its host — incorporating whatever genes it needs to replicate and cause disease,” Medinfo said in a statement.