HIV/AIDS in Africa - Origins of AIDS in Africa

Origins of AIDS in Africa

Recent theories have linked the earliest known cases of AIDS to west Africa. The predominant feature of this first period was silence. Hypotheses include linking the disease to the preparation for consumption of bushmeat in Cameroon, or sexual contact with monkeys, with this last hypothesis being met with skepticism, as this is an extremely uncommon practice in African countries. Current hypotheses also include colonial medical practices of mid-20th-century which, once the virus made the jump from chimpanzees or other apes to humans, may have helped HIV become established in human populations around 1930. It is highly probable that this is where the disease originated since early cases of it have been traced back to colonial Africa in the rubber plantations but no scientific evidence has been found.

Read more about this topic:  HIV/AIDS In Africa

Famous quotes containing the words origins of, origins, aids and/or africa:

    Grown onto every inch of plate, except
    Where the hinges let it move, were living things,
    Barnacles, mussels, water weeds—and one
    Blue bit of polished glass, glued there by time:
    The origins of art.
    Howard Moss (b. 1922)

    Lucretius
    Sings his great theory of natural origins and of wise conduct; Plato
    smiling carves dreams, bright cells
    Of incorruptible wax to hive the Greek honey.
    Robinson Jeffers (1887–1962)

    The issue is a mighty one for all people and all time; and whoever aids the right, will be appreciated and remembered.
    Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865)

    In Africa, there is much confusion.... Before, there was no radio, or other forms of communication.... Now, in Africa ... the government talks, people talk, the police talk, the people don’t know anymore. They aren’t free.
    Youssou N’Dour (b. 1959)