Estimated worldwide HIV infections: 46 697 638 at 12.58pm on Thursday May 9 2002.
More than 40 000 of 350 000 South African teachers are living with HIV/Aids, says a World Bank report. It warned that in countries such as South Africa, where 12% of teachers are HIV-positive, this may reverse development gains. The report says in 2000 4% of South African children under 15 had been classified as Aids orphans and this figure will rise to 17% by 2010.
A breath of hope: A Soweto-researched version of pneumonia vaccine raises a ray of hope for children living with HIV. The vaccine reduces the incidence of pneumonia by more than 20% and could halve the number of pneumonia-related infections in HIV-positive children. Scientists from Wits University and Emory University in the United States were involved in the research, and say the vaccine could save 500 000 lives in the Third World each year.
Flip-flops: The Constitutional Court spent three days listening to the government appeal against a high court judgement that the state must provide nevirapine to HIV-positive pregnant women, subject to certain conditions. The hearing was the government’s last chance for victory over the Treatment Action Campaign. It is uncertain when the judgement will be given.