South Pacific ‘easy Victim Of A.I.D.S.’ (Press, 25 March 1987)

On 25 March 1987, Australian government officials expressed serious concern regarding the potential for an A.I.D.S. epidemic in the South Pacific. The region, which includes New Zealand and Australia, is already witnessing cases of acquired immune deficiency syndrome, with 25 reported cases in New Zealand and around 400 in Australia. The virus has reportedly reached some Pacific Islands, although cases remain relatively low. Professor David Pennington, a former director of the Australian Advisory Council on A.I.D.S., warned that without swift preventive measures, the South Pacific could face a severe outbreak similar to those seen in Africa. Experts pointed out that the South Pacific has historically been susceptible to the introduction of new diseases due to its appeal for tourism, exacerbated by social behaviours such as high promiscuity rates and cultural traditions of bisexuality, which could facilitate the disease's spread. Pennington compared the situation in the South Pacific to Africa, suggesting that A.I.D.S. might initially surface among homosexual populations before spreading into the heterosexual community. Current estimates of A.I.D.S. cases in Pacific Island communities are inconsistent, with only a few reported cases and little public awareness or health initiatives in place, as noted by Elizabeth Reid, who recently toured several islands. She stressed the urgent need for public discussion and health plans to combat the looming threat, emphasising that the region may lack preparedness to handle such a crisis. Furthermore, she highlighted the cultural practices in some areas, such as the resurgence of tattooing with unsterilised instruments, which could further complicate prevention efforts. The implications of A.I.D.S. could be devastating, particularly given the small populations of the island nations. Reid pointed out that while Africa has a larger population, the proportional impact of A.I.D.S. on the smaller populations in the South Pacific could be equally severe. She shared a personal connection to the cause, noting that her husband had died from A.I.D.S. after a blood transfusion in Africa. Despite the alarming signs and risks, only Australia and New Zealand have established comprehensive plans to tackle the health crisis. Many smaller nations in the Pacific, however, may be unable to implement substantial prevention strategies due to financial constraints. The Australian government is set to invest approximately NZ$12 million in A.I.D.S. research and prevention in the coming year, and efforts are underway to enhance blood screening procedures. The World Health Organisation has recognised Australia's proactive approach and called for a meeting of Pacific Island health leaders to collaborate on A.I.D.S. prevention strategies. As tourism peaks, particularly with events like the annual Drag Queen Festival in Western Samoa, health officials continue to warn that without immediate action, the South Pacific could face a critical health emergency.

The text on this page is created, in the most part, using Generative AI and so may contain errors or omissions. It is supplied to you without guarantee or warranty of correctness. If you find an error or would like to make a content suggestion please get in contact

The text on this page is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 New Zealand