A.I.D.S. Bridgehead In Drug Abusers (Press, 28 September 1987)

An editorial in the "New Zealand Medical Journal" published on 28 September 1987 warns that intravenous drug abusers could serve as a significant conduit for the spread of A.I.D.S. into the heterosexual community. The authors emphasise the possibility of a major epidemic, stating the limits of legal measures and the absence of a vaccine or effective treatment means education is crucial in combating the disease. Surveys within New Zealand's homosexual community show some alteration in behaviour following educational outreach on A.I.D.S., indicating the need for targeted educational programmes that reach specific groups, including teenagers, homosexual and bisexual men, prostitutes, and intravenous drug users. The editorial expresses concern that intravenous drug users might facilitate the transmission of the disease to heterosexual individuals. The future risk of A.I.D.S. among heterosexuals remains uncertain, with studies indicating that while H.I.V. (human immunodeficiency virus) can be transmitted between sexes, the risk may be lower compared to homosexual contact. The editorial discusses the "basic reproductive rate" of the virus, which, if below 1.0, suggests that while infections could occur among heterosexuals, the spread may not be widespread through heterosexual contact alone. Conversely, a rate above 1.0 could signal an increase in cases among heterosexuals. Evidence from African countries shows that a heterosexual epidemic is not out of the realm of possibility, as several nations face significant H.I.V. issues. Factors such as blood transfusions and unsterile needle use contribute to H.I.V. prevalence, but heterosexual transmission is also prominent. Currently, around 250 individuals in New Zealand are known to have H.I.V. antibodies, with approximately 50 reported cases of A.I.D.S. While these figures are minor compared to global counterparts, the editorial cautions against assuming that New Zealand's situation is less severe. The influx of infected individuals via immigration poses an ongoing threat, as many H.I.V. positive people may return from countries like Australia, where an estimated 50,000 individuals are already affected. The editorial calls for enhanced epidemiological surveillance and social science research focused on H.I.V. in New Zealand, pointing out inadequate systems for tracking the virus among both general and high-risk populations. It urges the Health Department and Medical Research Council to prioritise a comprehensive research strategy for A.I.D.S. to effectively understand and combat the evolving public health challenge.

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