The Press Monday, November 19, 1984. Keeping... (Press, 19 November 1984)

On 19 November 1984, The Press reported on the New Zealand Government's measures to manage the risk of A.I.D.S. infection in the country. This response followed recent tragic incidents in Queensland, Australia, where three babies died from receiving blood transfusions contaminated with the A.I.D.S. virus. In light of this situation, the Queensland Government enacted stringent legislation imposing severe penalties on blood donors who provide false information regarding their suitability to donate blood. Other Australian states might consider similar laws, motivated by the emotional impact of these cases. New Zealand's approach differs from the legislative route taken by Queensland, focusing instead on ensuring rigorous testing of blood donors and implementing awareness campaigns to deter potential A.I.D.S. carriers from donating blood. A.I.D.S. first emerged several years earlier in the United States and has predominantly affected male homosexuals, though the proportion of female victims has gradually increased, with over 6000 cases reported, most in the U.S. No effective cure has been found, and the transmission mechanisms of the virus remain poorly understood, with more than half of diagnosed cases proving fatal. While A.I.D.S. cases have been documented in New Zealand, they have all stemmed from homosexual contact acquired abroad, and thus far, no cases have arisen from imported contaminated blood. The new health measures announced by Minister of Health Dr Bassett are aimed at preventing the entry of contaminated blood products into New Zealand. However, effectively screening out A.I.D.S. carriers from the blood donation process presents a challenge, particularly since comprehensive testing to identify the virus before symptomatic development is not yet available. The proposed solution involves a blanket prohibition on blood donations from male donors with a history of homosexual relationships, relying heavily on the integrity of potential donors to disclose their risk status honestly. Despite the assumption that most people at risk would cooperate, past experiences in Australia have shown that even a single uninformed carrier can lead to serious health consequences. New Zealand's geographical isolation presents an advantage in the efforts to maintain an A.I.D.S.-free status, paralleling successful measures employed by the Ministry of Agriculture in preventing specific animal diseases like foot-and-mouth disease. However, similar vigilance is required to mitigate the risks that could emerge from individuals who, due to their activities overseas, may become carriers or victims of the virus. Long-term success in controlling A.I.D.S. in New Zealand hinges on the development and implementation of effective testing methods, alongside the continued reliance on the ethical considerations of blood donors in the interim.

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