Now 34 A.I.D.S. Cases In N.Z. (Press, 22 January 1987)

As of January 1987, the total number of reported A.I.D.S. cases in New Zealand has reached 34, according to the Health Department. Dr Arvind Patel, the assistant director for communicable diseases, noted that one new case has already been reported this year, adding to the 19 cases recorded in 1986, 11 in 1985, and three in 1984. Among these cases, only one victim is a woman. The majority of cases are concentrated in the Auckland region, which holds 22 cases, followed by Wellington, Napier, New Plymouth, and Christchurch, each with two cases, and one case in Takapuna, Rotorua, and Timaru. The data reveals that most of the A.I.D.S. sufferers, specifically 18 individuals, fall within the 30 to 39 age bracket. In addition, eight cases are in the 40 to 49 age group, five in the 20 to 29 range, and three in the 50 to 59 group. A significant portion of the affected population is believed to be homosexual, with 27 cases linked to this group. Other demographics include one case that is both homosexual and an intravenous drug user, one haemophiliac, and five cases with unknown backgrounds. Official records indicate that six individuals have succumbed to the disease, although Dr Patel suggests the actual figure could be higher. The department has reached out to district offices for updates on A.I.D.S. related deaths. Furthermore, it is suspected that two individuals diagnosed with A.I.D.S. in New Zealand have since returned to the United States. Dr Patel provided additional insights, estimating that around 203 people are A.I.D.S. antibody-positive, meaning they carry the virus but are currently healthy. However, this number may include repeat tests. The breakdown of these antibody-positive cases shows limited information on risk categories, with data missing for 93 of the tests. Specifically, 78 of these individuals are homosexual, 21 are haemophiliacs, one is an intravenous drug user, and four are believed to have contracted the virus through blood transfusions. Out of the total antibody-positive cases, eight are female, and 186 are male, with others classified as unknown. Dr Patel emphasized the importance of tracking these figures, as they signify ongoing transmission from the past. He underscored the need for continued vigilance in prevention efforts, stating that A.I.D.S. should not be perceived as exclusively a gay disease, highlighting an impending concern for women as well. He called for increased funding aimed at A.I.D.S. prevention and advocated for a comprehensive educational approach to combat the issue, insisting that it goes beyond just medical considerations. In response to the rising figures, Bill Logan, a spokesperson for the Gay Taskforce, noted that while the increase was expected, the current numbers are significantly lower than earlier projections that predicted the total could double every six months. Logan credited effective education and increased awareness, particularly around safer sexual practices, for this relatively lower figure of 34 reported cases.

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