Website of the Department of Health

Report of the work of UKAP

EAGA was updated on the HIV/AIDS related work of the UK Advisory Panel for Health Care Workers infected with blood borne viruses.

HIV transmission and oral sex

The Group considered the latest findings on the risk of HIV transmission associated with oral sex and discussed progress with its review of the epidemiology associated with HIV transmission and oral sex. A review of the evidence on the risk of transmission of the HIV virus through oral sex will be circulated to health professionals and others who advise on the risks of acquiring HIV infection by early summer.

Antenatal HIV testing and measures to reduce vertical transmission

EAGA was updated on progress with the task force set up to identify work that was planned or ongoing on antenatal testing for HIV and other infectious diseases with a view to co-ordinating and taking forward the various activities. The Task Force will prepare quality standards for HIV and Hepatitis B testing and oversee the monitoring and audit of antenatal testing for HIV and Hepatitis B. A new patient leaflet which covers all the antenatal tests for infectious diseases is being developed and will be published in due course.

The Group considered an outline of the proposed new guidance for Local Authorities on children and blood-borne virus transmission and testing. Draft Guidance will be produced for members to consider at the next meeting of EAGA on 10 August 2000.

Post -exposure prophylaxis (PEP)

EAGA were asked to give consideration to the final draft of the HIV PEP guidelines that will update guidance produced by EAGA in 1997. The final version of the guidance will be distributed by the summer.

Risk assessment - health care workers with past exposure to HIV

EAGA discussed health and safety aspects of the recruitment of health care workers.

HIV/AIDS strategy

Members were updated on progress with the HIV/AIDS Strategy. An Interim HIV/AIDS Strategy progress report will be circulated to members and other interested parties in spring. The report will set out the key facts, principles and issues to be addressed.

Notes to editors

1. Terms of Reference of the Expert Advisory Group on AIDS:

The Expert Advisory Group on AIDS (EAGA)meets three times a year andis a non-departmental public body which is non-statutory. It was established in 1985: "to provide advice on such matters relating to AIDS as may be referred to it by the Chief Medical Officers of the Health Departments of the United Kingdom".

2. Membership of EAGA:

Dr Pat Troop (Chair) Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health

Dr Andrew Freedman, Senior Lecturer in Infectious Diseases, University of Wales
College of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Heath Park CARDIFF CF4 4XN

Dr David Hawkins, Consultant Physician ,John Hunter Clinic, St Stephen's Clinic, 369 Fulham Road, LONDON SW10 9TH

Professor Donald Jeffries, Department of Virology, St Bartholomew's and the Royal London School of medicine and Dentistry, 48-53 St Bartholomew Close, West Smithfield, LONDON EC1A 7BE

Dr Margaret Johnson, Consultant Physician, Dept of Thoracic Medicine, Royal Free Hospital, Pond Street, LONDON NW3 2QG

Mrs Diana Kloss, Barrister and Senior Lecturer, University of Manchester, Faculty of Law, Oxford Road, MANCHESTER M13 9PL

Professor Michael Levin, Professor of Paediatrics, Department of Paediatrics, St Mary's
Hospital, Praed Street, LONDON W2 1NY

Mr Roger Marwood, Consultant in Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Women's Services Unit, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, 369 Fulham Road, LONDON SW10 9NH

Dr Nita Mitchell-Heggs, Consultant Occupational Physician, Staff/Student Occupational Health Department, St George's Hospital, Blackshaw Road, LONDON SW17 OQT

Professor Catherine Peckham, Head of Epidemiology & Biostatistics Dept of
Epidemiology & Public Health, Institute of Child Health, 30 Guildford Street, LONDON WC2N 1EH

Professor Robert Pratt, Director, Centre for Sexual Health & HIV Studies, Wolfson
Institute of Health Studies at Thames Valley University, 32-38 Uxbridge Road, Ealing,
LONDON W5 2SU

Mr Bernard Ribeiro, Consultant Surgeon, Basildon & Thurrock General Hospital NHS Trust, Basildon Hospital, Nether Mayne, Basildon, ESSEX SS16 5NL

Ms Carolyn Roth, Senior Lecturer in Midwifery, 92 Bathhurst Gardens, LONDON
NW10 5HY

Dr Mohsen Shahmanesh, Consultant in GU Medicine, Department of Genito-Urinary Medicine, Whittall Street Clinic, Whittall Street BIRMINGHAM B4 6D