A new variant of Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has been identified.
Discovered in the Netherlands, the strain is highly virulent and transmissible with those infected found to have around four times the viral load than is usual for the infection, according to SciTechDaily.
Research completed by scientists at the University of Oxford has found that the new variant of HIV - the virus that causes AIDS - is potentially more infectious and could cause more serious harm to the immune systems of sufferers.
The impact on immune systems means people who contract the new variant may develop AIDS faster.
SciTechDaily reported: "The rate of CD4 cell decline (the hallmark of immune system damage by HIV) occurred twice as fast in individuals with the VB variant, placing them at risk of developing AIDS much more rapidly.
"Individuals with the VB variant also showed an increased risk of transmitting the virus to others.”
The variant may pose greater risks, making it critical that individuals are diagnosed early and start treatment as soon as possible.
So far, a total of 109 people in the Netherlands have the infection.
Fortunately - according to the journal Science - the variant was does not pose a threat to public health as ARV therapy used to treat those infected worked effectively.
Experts say there is no cause for alarm, however the best way to avoid contracting or transmitting the virus includes sex with a condom or other barrier method and PrEP medication.
You can find out more about HIV testing and treatment on the NHS Inform website here.
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