A.I.D.S. Finds Its Way To N.Z.’s Drug Community (Press, 31 May 1986)
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Summary: A.I.D.S. Finds Its Way To N.Z.’s Drug Community (Press, 31 May 1986)
Auckland, New Zealand, has reported its first cases of A.I.D.S. infection among intravenous drug users, marking a significant development in the spread of the virus. Dr Richard Meech, the chairman of the A.I.D.S. Advisory Committee, announced that three drug addicts have tested positive for antibodies. The exact locations where these individuals contracted the virus are unknown, as their movements have spanned both New Zealand and overseas. One of the cases involves a homosexual man who is also a drug addict; he was identified as antibody positive through screening by a general practitioner experienced in working with A.I.D.S. patients. It is believed that the other two individuals were screened in drug treatment centres. This information was shared at a recent meeting of the A.I.D.S. Advisory Committee, highlighting a shift from the previously reported cases of the virus, which primarily involved male homosexuals, bisexuals, or haemophiliacs. Dr Paul Goldwater, an A.I.D.S. expert visiting Auckland for the launch of his book "A.I.D.S.: The Risk," expressed concern regarding the implications of this shift towards drug users, as it poses a serious threat of increasing transmission to the heterosexual community. He urged for greater accessibility to needles and syringes for addicts to mitigate the risk of sharing, which can facilitate the spread of the virus. In response to the situation, Mr Paul East, the Opposition spokesman on health, has called for an inquiry into the A.I.D.S. outbreak among drug users, urging the Minister, Dr Bassett, to investigate further. The report serves as a critical reminder of the evolving landscape of A.I.D.S. and its transmission pathways in New Zealand, particularly as it begins to affect populations previously less associated with the virus.
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