The origin of HIV

rhombus · **on:** October 06, 2014, 09:58:01 PM

A recent study has apparently traced the origin of the human immunodeficiency virus to the city of Kinshasa in the 1920s. This finding was made by using archived samples of HIV's genetic code to trace its source. They monitored mutations in HIV's genetic code and used those as markers to trace its history. The currently accepted theory on HIV's jump to humans, that it is a mutated version of a chimpanzee virus, is not contradicted by this evidence. The original virus which still exists, simian immunodeficiency virus, probably made the species-jump through contact with infected blood while handling bush meat.

Kor · **Reply #1 on:** October 07, 2014, 03:15:46 PM

interesting that they could trace it back that far to the start.

Serris · **Reply #2 on:** October 07, 2014, 03:57:38 PM

To be honest, I am not all that surprised. Bushmeat consumption has been responsible for quite a number of zoonosis.

In fact, I would have been surprised if the research showed otherwise.

rhombus · **Reply #3 on:** October 07, 2014, 04:03:30 PM

^ Indeed. The recent spread of Ebola is yet another example of a virus spread in part through bush meat handing. Recent attempts to restrict bush meat consumption has failed miserably in Liberia and several other western African countries. The main thing that surprised me is that they were able to supposedly trace HIV to a city with some degree of certainty. I did not expect that level of precision.

Kor · **Reply #4 on:** October 08, 2014, 01:55:32 PM

That is interesting they could trace it to a specific city. I guess bush meat will be a permanent problem, unfortunately.

Another big thing with disease getting started, mostly flues I think, is people who live in close proximity with pigs and chickens.

Ptyra · **Reply #5 on:** October 08, 2014, 05:38:12 PM

And the moral of the story is, there is a reason why we don't handle bushmeat. There is a reason why bushmeat is technically illegal!
Heck, it seems like a good number of our viral diseases of horror come from bushmeat!

I want to think there's an economic reason for it, but then again, shouldn't there be alternatives that are much more sensible?

rhombus · **Reply #6 on:** October 08, 2014, 08:18:49 PM

^ A major problem for the region is that many of the people who consume bush meat (and it is a sizable portion in Liberia) is due to the desirable taste and the ability to make money selling the product, which is rather enticing in a poverty-stricken area. In a recent Vice Guide News Documentary on the subject of Ebola and bush meat, a Liberian doctor who was working with potential Ebola patients even admitted that he did (and would continue to) eat bush meat.

The documentary can be found here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XasTcDsDfMg

Another major issue is the lack of trust in governmental institutions and the lack of capacity in regional governments. Even after imposing a ban they could not enforce it.

Ducky123 · **Reply #7 on:** October 09, 2014, 11:03:35 AM

This gives me an eery feeling... what if they actually find out who exactly the first human to be infected with HIV was? Just think about it... basically, he or she is responsible for millions of people dieing and even more suffering from HIV. Of course it didn't happen on purpose but due to not knowing about the risks...