Director-general Seeks To Allay A.I.D.S. Fear (Press, 4 July 1985)

On 4 July 1985, Dr Ron Barker, the Director-General of Health, held a press conference in Wellington to address public concerns regarding the transmission of A.I.D.S., following reports of a primary school child testing positive for A.I.D.S. antibodies. The child, a haemophiliac, was believed to have received contaminated blood products from Australia the previous year. At the press conference, which also featured Dr John Clements, the assistant director of disease control, and Dr Keith Ridings, the chairman of the blood transfusion advisory committee, Dr Barker sought to alleviate fears that other children could contract the virus from the boy. Dr Barker clarified that the primary method of A.I.D.S. transmission was through sexual intercourse, either heterosexual or homosexual. He praised the New Zealand Educational Institute for its responsible approach in allowing the child to continue attending school, emphasizing the importance of protecting the child's confidentiality. While acknowledging the presence of antibodies indicated contact with the A.I.D.S. virus, he stressed that this did not mean the child had developed full-blown A.I.D.S. or was considered a notifiable case. The risk of developing the disease varied, and the incubation period could extend up to five years. Following the contamination scare, Dr Barker assured the public that the risk for individuals receiving blood products had been significantly reduced due to newly implemented precautions. He advised that maintaining a single sexual partner would alleviate the risk of acquiring A.I.D.S., and for those who could not do so, he recommended the use of condoms to help reduce both A.I.D.S. and other sexually transmitted infections. Dr Barker urged the public to understand the dangers without fear-mongering, stating that while homosexuals engaging with multiple partners should indeed be concerned, the average person had no reason for undue fear. He also confirmed that the Health Department had made a submission concerning the Homosexual Law Reform Bill, although he did not disclose its position on the issue. Speculation arose that the department may have advocated for legalisation as a measure to combat A.I.D.S. Dr Clements contributed additional information, noting that the A.I.D.S. virus likely originated from the animal population in Africa, potentially linked to the African Green Monkey. The press conference aimed to educate the public on A.I.D.S. while alleviating unwarranted panic in the community.

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