HSV IN AUSTRALIA

In the first nationwide survey outside the United States carried out in Australia in 1999–2000, 1000 Australian adults were tested for herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) and 4000 for HSV-2. Seroprevalence for HSV-2 was 12%; in women it was 16% compared with 8% in men. Rural populations had a lower prevalence (9%) than metropolitan (13%), and Indigenous populations had a higher prevalence (18%) than non-Indigenous (12%). The seroprevalence of HSV-1 was 76%, with significant differences by age group, sex and Indigenous state. As HSV is a risk factor for HIV transmission these data will allow planning for combating HIV transmission in high prevalence populations, and, with high prevalence of HSV-1, the future use of genital herpes vaccines. (

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COLLECTING INFORMATION ON CAR CRASHES IN SPAIN

University graduates in Spain were asked about motor vehicle injuries and mileage driven in telephone and written questionnaires to evaluate the reliability of self reported data. Baseline information was collected from 542 students in 2000 by mailed questionnaires. Those involved in a road accident were followed up 2 years later by mail and then up to 10 months later by telephone. The longer the time …