Panamanian officials announces they have banned the importation of U.S. beef following the discovery of the second case of mad cow disease.

The Agriculture Ministry says it notified U.S. officials of the ban, which was effective immediately. Panama banned U.S. beef after the first mad cow case was reported, and subsequently lifted it in October; only allowing the importation of products originating from animals no more than 30 months old

Panamanian officials announces they have banned the importation of U.S. beef following the discovery of the second case of mad cow disease.

The Agriculture Ministry says it notified U.S. officials of the ban, which was effective immediately. Panama banned U.S. beef after the first mad cow case was reported, and subsequently lifted it in October; only allowing the importation of products originating from animals no more than 30 months old

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has updated its 1996 guidelines for HIV screening, now recommending that all pregnant women be tested.

The move is a preventive measure to ensure HIV-infected pregnant women can start HAART treatment and thereby reduce the risk of vertical transmission of infection to their infants. They can also be advised to avoid breastfeeding, which is known to increase the risk of transmission

The International Labor Organization (ILO) issued a report Monday stating an estimated 3,500 people, the majority being working class, are living with HIV/AIDS.

According to the report, the majority of Sri Lankans living with the virus that causes AIDS are between the ages of 30-39 and are working class citizens

Early testing has proven so successful at helping prevent the spread of AIDS in babies, that a federal panel is recommending that all pregnant women, not just those at high risk, be screened for the virus.

In 1996, the U.S. Preventine Services Task Force said there was not enough evidence to prove that screening all pregnant women was beneficial