HPV testing to become cheaper, more accessible in the Americas
News brief40 minutes ago.
Liz Szabo, MA
Topics
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
Although more than 40,000 women in Latin America and the Caribbean die of cervical cancer every year, many countries in the region have struggled with the cost of screening for the virus that causes the disease, human papillomavirus (HPV).
Now, high-quality screening tests will become more affordable because of an agreement between the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), part of the World Health Organization (WHO) and Unitaid, an international aid group. Participating countries will save 30% to 70% on the cost of molecular tests for HPV, according to a press release from the two groups.
In addition to access to testing, countries will receive implementation support, equipment, training, maintenance, and technical assistance to help scale up HPV testing.
Cervical cancer screening saves lives by detecting cancerous and precancerous growths early. The Pap test has reduced the number of deaths from cervical cancer by 70% by making it possible for clinicians to find and treat cancerous and precancerous growths early, while they are still curable.
Making screening more accessible
PAHO and WHO have recommended HPV testing in cervical cancer screening programs since 2013. Molecular tests are more accurate than other screening methods and make HPV screening more accessible, because people can collect their own samples, which are analyzed in the lab.“This initiative helps accelerate progress toward cervical cancer elimination while creating a more equitable and sustainable market for screening technologies,” said Philippe Duneton, MD, executive director of Unitaid.
The WHO’s global cervical cancer elimination plan, known as the 90-70-90 goals, calls for 90% of girls vaccinated against HPV, 70% of women screened with a high-performance test, and 90% of women with lesions appropriately treated.
CWD digest: Detections in New York, Wisconsin trigger control measures; high proportion of Wyoming herds infected
News briefToday at 12:38 p.m.
Mary Van Beusekom, MS
Topics
Chronic Wasting Disease
- Chronic wasting disease (CWD) has been detected in a wild white-tailed doe in Livingston County, New York, the state’s first case since 2005, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced late last week. Livingston County is in the western part of the state. CWD, which infects cervids such as deer, elk, and moose, is caused by infectious misfolded proteins called prions. As a result of the new case, hunters who harvest a deer in the newly established CWD containment area (the towns of Conesus, Groveland, North Dansville, Sparta, Springwater, and West Sparta) are now required to submit deer tissue samples to the DEC for testing.
- A deer on a farm in Taylor County, Wisconsin, in the north-central part of the state, has tested positive for CWD, prompting a baiting and feeding ban for the area. This is Taylor County’s first CWD identification. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said the farm is located within 10 miles of the borders of Chippewa and Clark counties, both of which have reported cases. State law mandates a three-year baiting and feeding ban in CWD-infected counties and a two-year ban in bordering counties within 10 miles of a detection. The detection will result in a renewal of the feeding and baiting ban in Chippewa County for another two years, while Clark County already has a ban in place and won’t be affected by the new case.
- Nearly all (95%) of mule deer herds in Wyoming and most (71%) of elk herds in Wyoming are infected with CWD, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department said in a press release late last week. Of the cervids tested for CWD so far this year, the disease was confirmed in over 10%. While the CWD rate in mule deer herds has stayed steady since 2024, it has risen (from 62% in 2024) in elk herds. The department said it continues to increase harvest opportunities in some high-prevalence hunt areas. “We don’t have a silver bullet to combat CWD, but based on things we know, there are several strategies worth trying and evaluating,” Corey Class, Game and Fish wildlife management coordinator in the Cody region, said in the release. “Eradication is not going to happen.”