The South African cabinet on Tuesday praised a scientific breakthrough by South Africans in the prevention of HIV infection. Results of a study involving the Center for Aids Program of Research in Durban, South Africa, were presented at the International AIDS Conference in Vienna, Austria on Monday. The researchers announced a 'breakthrough' gel to help women protect themselves against HIV and other infections. In a statement in Pretoria on Tuesday, South African government spokesman Themba Maseko said: 'Cabinet welcomed the groundbreaking news that a study that was jointly funded by the South African and U.S. governments had established that an antiretroviral microbicide reduces the rate of HIV and herpes infections in women by 40 percent and 51 percent respectively.' Associates from Columbia University in the United States were partners in the study, according to the South African Press Association (SAPA). Maseko said sexual transmission of HIV is the most common way that HIV is spread and accounts for about 85 percent of all HIV infections globally. 'A key driver of HIV infection in southern Africa is the high rate of new HIV infection among young women. Reducing new infections in this category is key to altering the HIV epidemic in the region,' Maseko said. According to SAPA, studies to confirm the results would be initiated 'urgently' to fast-track the availability of the gel to the public. The gel would also be manufactured in South Africa for distribution locally and internationally. 