In
June 1981, scientists in the United States reported the first
clinical evidence of a disease that would become known as Acquired
Immunodeficiency Syndrome or AIDS. Twenty years later, the AIDS
epidemic has spread to every corner of the world. Almost 22 million
people have lost their lives to the disease and over 36 million
people are today living with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.
But two decades of struggle to control the epidemic have also
yielded a growing arsenal of breakthroughs.
•
1981 The first cases of unusual immune
system failures are identified among gay men in the United
States.
•
1982 Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is defined
for the first time. In the course of the year, the three modes
of transmission are identified: blood transfusion, mother-to-child,
and sexual intercourse.
•
1983 The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is identified
as the cause of AIDS. In Africa, a heterosexual AIDS epidemic
is revealed.
•
1985 The scope of the growing epidemic becomes manifest.
By 1985, at least one case of HIV/AIDS has been reported in
each region of the world.
Film star Rock Hudson becomes the first international icon to
disclose he has AIDS.
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
approves the first HIV antibody test and HIV screening of blood
donations begins.
•
1987 Africa's first community-based response to AIDS (The
AIDS Support Organisation or TASO) is formed in Uganda. It becomes
a role model for similar activities around the world.
The International Council of AIDS Service Organizations (ICASO)
and the Global Network of People living with HIV/AIDS are founded.
In February, the World Health Organization (WHO) establishes the
Special Programme on AIDS, later to become the Global Programme
on AIDS.
The first therapy for AIDS - azidothymidine (AZT) - is approved
for use in the United States.
•
1988 In London, health ministers from around the world meet
for the first time to discuss the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
•
1991-1993 HIV prevalence in young pregnant women in Uganda
begins to decrease - the first significant downturn in a developing
country. The success is attributed to countrywide mobilization
against the epidemic.
•
1994 Scientists develop the first treatment regimen to reduce
mother-to-child transmission.
•
1995 An HIV outbreak in Eastern Europe is detected among
injecting drug users.
•
1996 The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS)
is created.
Evidence of the efficacy of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy
(HAART) is presented for the first time.
•
1997 Brazil
becomes the first developing country to provide antiretroviral
therapy through its public health system.
•
1998 The first short-course regimen to prevent mother-to-child
transmission is announced.
•
1999 The first efficacy trial of a potential HIV vaccine
in a developing country starts in Thailand.
•
2000 The UN Security Council discusses HIV/AIDS for the
first time.
