Virus spreads to Islands

Press, 19 October 1987, Page 25

Virus spreads to Islands

NZPA-AFP Tokyo A.I.D.S. is slowly creeping to the South Pacific Islands, experts at an International conference heard. Cases have been reported in Tahiti, according to Dr Jean Roux, director of that country’s Medical Research Institute. “Out of the 18,000 people screened, 30 proved positive, two had developed A.I.D.S. and another two had A.1.D.5.related sickness,” he said. One of the A.I.DJS. sufferers contracted the

deadly virus in Paris through a contaminated blood transfusion. The other victim contracted A.I.D.S. from a foreigner, said Dr Roux. As tourism is vital to the region, the spread of A.I.D.S. to hundreds of islands,- like Tahiti, of French Polynesia, can hardly/ be avoided, he said. “Situated in the middle of two big A.I.D.S. cradles — the west coast of the United States and Australia — naturally we are very concerned with this disease,” Dr Roux said.

The conference was attended by about 300' health experts from 24 countries, discussing measures for controlling the spread of A.I.DJS. in the Asia-Pacific region. The World Health Organisation says the only A.I.D.S. cases reported in South Pacific Islands are those< in Tahiti. But most countries have already. taken preventative measures, such as voluntary testing, public education and the screening of high-risk groups.