Spread Of Gay Disease Feared (Press, 1 November 1982)

A syndrome known as acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is increasingly affecting not just homosexual men but also heterosexual men and women in the United States, according to medical professionals at a conference in San Francisco. Dr Harold Jaffe from the National Centres for Disease Control noted that the reported cases have likely doubled every six months. The syndrome begins by compromising the body's immune system, which can lead to severe infections and rare cancers, with pneumonia being the most frequently observed complication. Dr Paul Volberding, the chief of medical oncology at San Francisco General Hospital, referred to a recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, indicating that up to 83 per cent of homosexual men may have immunodeficiency associated with this disease. This statistic raises concerns about the potential for the disease to be highly contagious, which could lead to a significant outbreak. Since June of the previous year, there have been 665 reported cases of the illness, resulting in 270 fatalities. Initially, the cases appeared to be confined to homosexual men, but as time has progressed, it has become evident that other demographics are also at risk. Data from 593 cases reported from June to September indicates that approximately 75 per cent of those affected have been homosexual or bisexual men, suggesting that sexual contact may be a primary mode of transmission. As health officials continue to investigate the spread of this syndrome, the implications for public health are becoming increasingly serious.

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