The Kinshasha Highway was referred to the AIDS highway because it is believed that it is where "AIDS virus traveled during its breakout from somewhere in the African Rain forest to the rest of the world" (Preston 376). After much research, no one is still sure where exactly the virus came from. It is hypothesized that it came from the rain forest, but no one can be truly sure. The only thing scientists can trace is its explosion on this highway. This road had previously been impossible to cross, until the nineteenth century when it was finally paved. On this specific road, prostitution is extremely prevalent. It was estimated that about "90 percent" (Preston 382) of the prostitutes working on this road were infected with HIV. Because HIV can take years to express itself in its host, the virus just kept spreading from worker to worker, and eventually into neighboring countries, and has currently become a pandemic. The expansion of the virus on this road is the reason why this road is called the AIDS highway. So many lives have been lost due to the unprotected sex on this road, and the low levels of education. The lack of regulation for the workers on this highway may have also contributed to the huge magnification of HIV.
Hi Alejandra, so it is obvious that the highest risk population of contracting HIV in Africa are sex workers. What about in the United States- who is specifically at high risk and why do you think that is?
The Kinshasha Highway was referred to the AIDS highway because it is believed that it is where "AIDS virus traveled during its breakout from somewhere in the African Rain forest to the rest of the world" (Preston 376). After much research, no one is still sure where exactly the virus came from. It is hypothesized that it came from the rain forest, but no one can be truly sure. The only thing scientists can trace is its explosion on this highway. This road had previously been impossible to cross, until the nineteenth century when it was finally paved. On this specific road, prostitution is extremely prevalent. It was estimated that about "90 percent" (Preston 382) of the prostitutes working on this road were infected with HIV. Because HIV can take years to express itself in its host, the virus just kept spreading from worker to worker, and eventually into neighboring countries, and has currently become a pandemic. The expansion of the virus on this road is the reason why this road is called the AIDS highway. So many lives have been lost due to the unprotected sex on this road, and the low levels of education. The lack of regulation for the workers on this highway may have also contributed to the huge magnification of HIV.
ReplyDeleteHi Alejandra, so it is obvious that the highest risk population of contracting HIV in Africa are sex workers. What about in the United States- who is specifically at high risk and why do you think that is?
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