Emerging Infectious Diseases
Volume 12, Issue 4, 2006, Pages 612-617

Emerging pediatric HIV epidemic related to migration (Article) (Open Access)

MacPherson D.W.* , Zencovich M. , Gushulak B.D.
  • a Migration Health Consultants Inc., Cheltenham, Ont., Canada, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont., Canada, Migration Health Consultants Inc., 14130 Creditview Rd, Cheltenham, Ont. L7C 1Y4, Canada
  • b Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Ottawa, Ont., Canada
  • c Migration Health Consultants Inc., Cheltenham, Ont., Canada

Abstract

In 2002, Canada introduced routine, mandatory HIV antibody screening for all residency applicants, including selected children. We report screening results from January 2002 to February 2005. Thirty-six pediatric HIV cases were detected (14/100,000 applicants); 94% of infected children were eligible to arrive in Canada. Thirty-two of the affected children were from Africa, and maternal infection was the main risk factor. Only 4 (11%) of the children had received antiretroviral therapy. In countries of low HIV incidence, migration-related imported infection in children may be an emerging epidemic. The early identification of HIV-infected immigrant women permits intervention to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission. Routine HIV testing as a component of the medical examination of immigrants has national and international health policy and programmatic implications.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

Canada risk factor virus transmission antiretrovirus agent child care Human immunodeficiency virus infection antibody screening health care policy Article epidemic human highly active antiretroviral therapy migration
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-33645465019&doi=10.3201%2feid1204.051025&partnerID=40&md5=a0c6d80a37d6830c90de493c1471299c
DOI: 10.3201/eid1204.051025
ISSN: 10806040
Cited by: 15
Original Language: English