Scientists have discovered a new strain of HIV for the first time since 2000. This was reported by The Wall Street Journal.. The research was conducted by specialists from the pharmaceutical company Abbott Laboratories and the University of Missouri.

A new strain was discovered in three residents of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It belongs to the most common and dangerous group M (from English. main - "

A blood sample in which scientists found a new subtype of HIV was taken back in 2001. The first two cases were recorded in 1983 and 1990..

According to the rules, in order to declare the identification of a new subtype of the virus, it is necessary to fix it in at least three unrelated patients.

According to Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the United States, there is no reason for concern: existing HIV treatment methods will help in the case of the new strain.

Scientists hope that the discovery will help to better understand how the virus evolved and spread, and will move closer to creating an effective and affordable HIV vaccine.. It is reported by EuroNews.