SPECIAL REPORT: DOCTORS WARN THAT AIDS COULD REACH EPIDEMIC PROPORTIONS IN A FEW YEARS TIME.

Record ID: 858836

  • Title: SPECIAL REPORT: DOCTORS WARN THAT AIDS COULD REACH EPIDEMIC PROPORTIONS IN A FEW YEARS TIME.
  • Date: 14th June 1985
  • Summary: LONDON, UK: JUNE 14, 1985 (REUTERS) SCU Dr Charles Farthing speaking (ENGLISH SOT) FARTHING (SEQ. 7): "AIDS is contracted by sexual intercourse, almost exclusively, but there is the possibility of blood transfusion from some one affected which is a rather artificial way of transmitting the disease. There are some encouraging developments with a group of drugs that appear to kill the HTLV-3 virus in the test-tube. It's far too early to say whether these will be useful in the treatment of the condition but trials are proceeding in the United States, and France, and in this country. If these drugs, which are currently being evaluated, turn out to be very successful, we may know within a year 18 months but if they're not then it's anybody's guess; at the moment there is certainly no cure for AIDS."
  • Embargoed: 29th June 1985 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: VARIOUS LOCATIONS
  • City:
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Topics: Health,Science
  • Reuters ID: LVAEACAO4PAS6MCG6DGPP0ODXB6L
  • Aspect Ratio:
  • Story Text: It's been called the black death of the 80's. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that up to a million people have been in contact with AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). The estimated contacts are 80,000 in Europe, perhaps 10 times as many in the United States and, on the basis of limited surveys, a rapidly rising total in Central and East African countries. Experts say the disease is no longer confined to the United States and specific groups -- gays, intravenous drug abusers and haemophiliacs -- but is now recognised as a world-wide problem with cases diagnosed in almost every continent. In Central Africa there is a growing incidence of AIDS among heterosexuals. The disease has been called one of the most sinister infections of this or any other century and doctors have warned that unless a care is found it could reach epidemic proportions in the next five years.

    SYNOPSIS: Behind laboratory doors like this all over the developed world the race is on to try to discover an effective cure for the killer disease. Doctors say the AIDS virus is continually changing structure which makes the task of combating it extremely difficult.

    The virus can remain in a person's body for five or more years without causing the disease but the carrier can still infect others through blood transfusions. In the US, scientists have developed a new method of manufacturing the agent that causes blood to clot -- a great benefit to haemophiliacs since it would protect them against transfusion-carried AIDS. Efficient screening methods of potential donors have also been developed.

    But it is in the gay communities of the United States, particularly San Francisco that the disease has caused near panic. Recent tests showed that only one per cent of non-homosexual men had been exposed to AIDS but 64 per cent of homosexuals in San Francisco had been exposed to the virus. A specialist has said the disease is endemic to the local community. The number of cases in the US and Europe is doubling every year.

    In prisons throughout the West police and warders have been issued with protective clothing for dealing with AIDS victims. There's no doubt the disease is reaching epidemic proportions, as Dr Charles Farthing, a leading UK specialist, explained to Visnews reporter Michael Sarkozi.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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