[Press Kit, International Conference on AIDS (13th : 2000 : Durban, South Africa), compiled by the International AIDS Society]

_--,IAS
INTERNATIONAL
SOCIETY
1985 The first tests to detect antibodies against HIV are developed and blood products
are starting to be tested in the USA and Japan. The CDC arranged the first
International Conference on AIDS in Atlanta. The WHO sponsored such a
congress: about 2000 investigators from 30 countries realized the presence of an
African focus of the infection. There were 22,996 cases of AIDS in the USA and
12,592 deaths: among those who died there was also Rock Hudson. The global
world AIDS cases were estimated around 20,008 but data from Africa were
missing. 1,617 AIDS cases were reported in Europe. The eterosexual
transmission of the virus was shown.
1986 The first American report on AIDS was issued, highlighting the importance of
providing information on sexual behaviors to prevent the infection. The II
International Conference on AIDS was held in Paris and the first estimate
regarding African countries was available. The WHO estimated that there were
about 5 to 10 million people living with HIV infection in the world. Testing of
blood products started in Europe as well. It was now clear that the infection can
hit both men and women, regardless of their sexual behaviors, at any age. The
importance of preventive campaign is recognized and preliminary data on
promising drugs against the virus are produced.
1987 The III International Conference on AIDS was held in Washington with more
than 12,000 delegates from 110 countries. The USA Administration is attending
the congress through its federal agencies:: CDC, NIH and PHS. Ronald Regan
mentioned the word AIDS in an official speech for the first time. The
Conference highlighted the importance of the use of condoms and the high risk
of transmission of the infection following intravenous drug use. The USA
established rules which did not allow the admittance of HIV positive people in
the states, in spite of several appeals against discrimination of people with AIDS.
The WHO set up its Global Program on AIDS, and the World Health Assembly
approved a global strategy for copying with the epidemic. The FDA, following a
previous non experienced pressure from the activists, reduced the time for
approval of drugs against AIDS. The first approved antiretroviral drug was AZT.
There were more than 50,000 cases of AIDS in the world.
1988 The IV International Conference on AIDS was held in Stockholm. For the first
time there were a substantial number of delegates from developing countries.
96,443 AIDS cases were reported worldwide. 1" December is chosen as the
world AIDS day.