Information Sheet

A blood sample is taken from a man living in what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo. Nearly thirty years later this sample is tested and found to contain HIV.

A Norwegian sailor's child dies from a severe case of chicken pox. The sailor dies a few months later from an unusual form of pneumonia (PCP), dementia and other neurological infections. His wife dies eight months later from similar causes. Blood samples from the family are kept and tested in the 1980s. They are all positive for HIV. Researchers believe the sailor was probably infected before 1966, and had infected his wife by the time she gave birth to their child in 1967.

Doctors in New York and San Francisco notice they are treating gay men for PCP, Kaposi's sarcoma (skin cancer), cytomegalovirus and severe oral candida infection, which are uncommon in healthy adult men.

On June 5 the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in America publish a report called Pneumocystis Pneumonia in gay men - Los Angeles. This is the first published report about the epidemic.

In July an Australian gay newspaper, the Sydney Star, gives the first Australian media report on this phenomenon.

The term AIDS first appears when the CDC describe the new epidemic as Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). The first cases among people who inject drugs and people with haemophilia begin to appear, showing that this epidemic is not limited to gay men.

In November Professor Ron Penny at St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney diagnoses a visitor from New York with the first case of AIDS in Australia.

By the end of the year the US has reported 1285 cases of AIDS.

On May 17 AIDS is declared a 'notifiable disease' in Victoria (ie, doctors or laboratories must notify the Health Department).

In June Dr Ron Lucas, seconded to the CDC from Fairfield Hospital, proposes that Fairfield staff "warn the homosexual community of the impending illness", which he described as "something like hepatitis B in many ways". Jan Watson and Dr Anne Mijch from Fairfield Hospital meet with Ian Goller and a group of gay activists in Northcote. A community awareness campaign is planned.

On 8 July the first death from AIDS in Australia occurs at Prince Henry's Hospital in Melbourne.

On 12 July the gay community founds the Victorian AIDS Council (now known as Victorian AIDS Council/Gay Men's Health Centre). Other states and territories follow and form their own AIDS Councils.

On the same day that the Australian Health Minister, Dr Neal Blewitt, speaks out against what he calls the 'growing AIDS hysteria', the media reports that the Reverend Fred Nile is calling for gay men to be quarantined.

Dr Luc Montagnier of the Pasteur Institute in Paris discovers the virus that causes AIDS. This observation is rapidly confirmed by Dr Robert Gallo and his colleagues at the US National Institutes of Health. In 1994 it is named HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). This is a critical step in developing tests for the virus and starts the long search for a treatment or vaccine.

In November the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva holds a meeting of scientists to discuss a international response to this epidemic. Montagnier presents his findings on the new virus to the scientists - one of whom is Professor Ian Gust from the virology laboratory at Fairfield Hospital in Melbourne. Gust and Montagnier begin a collaboration that leads scientists at Fairfield Hospital to establish tests to detect HIV infection. These tests are the beginning of the process to prevent the spread of HIV through blood transfusions and other blood products. The tests will help individuals to know if they have contracted HIV. The tests will also monitor progress of the epidemic.

In November the Queensland Health Minister announces that four babies have died from blood transfusions provided by gay men, triggering a wave of AIDS hysteria and homophobia.

The Australian government responds quickly. The Australian Health Minister, Neal Blewett, announces: "We face one of the most serious public health problems this country has faced since federation…". Blewett calls an emergency meeting with state health ministers to set some strategies in place. The government provides funding for HIV/AIDS projects, with a focus on research, infrastructure, education and protection of the blood supply.

The National Advisory Council on AIDS (NACAIDS) is appointed to advise the Australian government, with Ita Buttrose, the former editor of the Australian Women's Weekly and a well-respected journalist, as Chair. NACAIDS is given the responsibility to develop education programs to prevent the transmission of HIV. NACAIDS consults with medical and legal experts, unions and community groups. It argues that a comprehensive public education program about HIV/AIDS is vital.

The National AIDS Task Force, a group of experts chaired by Professor David Penington, is established to advise the Australian government on medical and scientific aspects of HIV/AIDS. This results in the development of the National Centre in HIV Virology Research and the National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research. These centres are created to develop a skilled Australian workforce in the area of HIV/AIDS and an understanding of the Australian epidemic based on research from around the country.

The Fairfield Hospital Laboratory in Melbourne, directed by Professor Ian Gust, begins regular testing of Australian blood products, many months before the rest of the world.

The first patient with AIDS is admitted to Fairfield Hospital in April, beginning a unique development in specialised AIDS care involving nurses, doctors and volunteers.

In October 1984 Drs Anne Mijch and Suzanne Crowe start the first AIDS outpatients clinic at Fairfield Hospital on Friday afternoons. 25% of initial patients are found to have HIV infection.

In December the Victorian AIDS Council's first education campaign is launched with a poster, brochure and badge ('Safe Sex' with a big red tick)

It is thought that 3500-4000 people were infected in Australia by 1983/4

By the end of the year 173 cases of AIDS have been diagnosed in Australia. There is still no treatment.

The Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO) is formed by representatives from state AIDS councils. This body is funded by the Australian Government.

The Australian National Health Strategy for AIDS Control in endorsed at the Australian Health Ministers' conference in Brisbane.

A successful VAC submission enables the Gay Men's Community Health Centre to be founded under the auspice of the Fitzroy Community Health Centre

The National HTLV-III (HIV) Reference Laboratory, established in late 1984, is fully functional. In May Australia becomes the first country in the world to seek to protect its blood supply from HIV infection by simultaneously introducing tests for HIV into blood banks and public health laboratories.

Eve Van Grafhorst, a young child infected with HIV, battles to return to school in NSW after protests from other parents. After a long battle with school authorities Eve and her family leave for New Zealand.

In November the first National Conference on AIDS is held in Melbourne.

US film actor Rock Hudson dies of AIDS.

In April Fairfield Hospital staff hold the first training program for volunteers to care for people with HIV at home.

By December, 399 cases of AIDS have been reported in Australia. 220 people have died.

In the US AZT, a drug originally developed for cancer, becomes available as a treatment for people with AIDS.

Australia has had 769 reported cases of AIDS. Of these people, 417 have died.

The Australian Government begins its National AIDS Education campaign. Stage 1 is to raise community awareness about AIDS with the Grim Reaper TV commercial. This commercial aims to shock Australians into understanding that AIDS in not only a gay male disease. Ten million copies of 5 education booklets about AIDS and safer sex, including booklets for parents and adolescents, are distributed across Australia. One of these booklets is AIDS: The Facts Everyone Should Know.

Australia begins its Needle and Syringe Exchange Program, where new needles are given out for free in exchange for used ones. Public education continues with the Russian Roulette TV commercial, which alerts young people about the dangers of transmitting HIV through sharing injecting drug equipment… "sharing needles is like playing Russian Roulette."

In June Australian clinics begin to introduce AZT as a treatment for AIDS.

The video Suzi's story is shown on national TV to great acclaim. It chronicles the true story of the Lovegrove family, where Suzi and her young son, Troy, are living with the reality of HIV/AIDS. Suzi dies soon after.

The national Beds TV commercial shows how sexually active young heterosexuals may be at risk of contracting HIV through the previous sexual behaviour of their partners or their partners' earlier partners.

The national Feet TV commercial gives a clear message about using condoms to protect yourself against the transmission of HIV. It gives a role model for young couples about raising the question of condoms without fear of embarrassment or rejection.

National campaigns are launched for Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander peoples. A very popular poster in this campaign is the Condoman poster, which features a superhero figure advising young people 'Don't be shame, be game, use frenchies/condoms!'.

People with HIV/AIDS become formally organised in Victoria as PLWAV and Positive Women Victoria. Positive Women is the first support and advocacy group for women diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in Australia.

An amendment to the Victorian Equal Opportunity Act bans discrimination against people with HIV/AIDS.

Australia now has 1290 reported cases of AIDS. 630 people living with HIV/AIDS have died.

On the December 1 the world celebrates its first World AIDS Day, focussing on raising awareness of HIV/AIDS.

After wide and open consultation the Australian Government launches the first National HIV/AIDS Strategy (known as the White paper). It outlines Australia's policy framework on HIV/AIDS, which are strategies to halt the spread of HIV and support those infected.

The National AIDS Education campaign continues. Brochures and videos are produced in 12 community languages for people of non-English speaking background. A booklet on caring for a person with AIDS at home is developed for AIDS carers who lack medical and nursing training.

In Victoria, the Victorian AIDS Council is running its Safe 89 campaign about being gay, getting support and practising safe sex.

The National Centre for HIV Social Research is established at Macquarie University in NSW to coordinate research on social aspects of the epidemic.

Needle and syringe exchanges are established across Australia.

VAC's education program launches its campaign aimed at young men, featuring the 'two boys kissing' poster (When you say yes…say yes to safe sex). Hostile reactions from politicians and the media make the poster famous.

The political activist group, ACT UP, is founded in Melbourne to campaign for the trialing and funding of new HIV/AIDS treatments.

Scientists from Fairfield Hospital in Melbourne publish findings from two of their studies about HIV resistance to the drug AZT during treatment. Their studies show that some people with HIV who take AZT develop resistance to the drug and then lose that resistance when treatment is stopped. These studies confirm that treating HIV is going to be complex. Afterwards it becomes clear that 3 or more drugs will need to be used together to treat HIV effectively (called 'combination therapy').

The theme for World AIDS Day is HIV and women. In Australia women make up 4.5% of the total number of people with HIV.

Australia now has 9286 people who have been diagnosed with HIV. Of these 1571 have died.

The Australian Government launches the That feeling doesn't stop HIV - Safe sex does campaign aimed at gay and bisexual men.

The Travel safe campaign is launched to encourage Australians travelling both within Australia and overseas to protect themselves against HIV. Airports around Australia carry advertisements on Travelling Safely on the back of toilet doors.

Huge public protests are organised against the possible closure of Victoria's Fairfield Hospital, which continues to provide care for people with HIV/AIDS in a unique and non-stigmatising way.

In March Everybody's Business, the First National Aboriginal HIV/AIDS Conference, is held in Alice Springs.

By the end of the year 11,608 Australians have been diagnosed with HIV, while 2755 of these have died.

In a first for the world, the Australian government launches the HIV doesn't discriminate, people do campaign, which aims to reduce discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS. The the Disability Discrimination Act is introduced in Australia, making discrimination against people with HIV/AIDS illegal in the areas of housing, employment, education and the provision of goods and services.

On 18 April the Victorian AIDS Council's Positive Living Centre is opened in St Kilda. It is a centre for HIV positive people to access meals, massage, learning activities and social space.

A Kid Called Troy airs on national TV. Troy is the son of Suzi (from Suzi's story 1987). The program documents his struggle with schools and his own health as he battles with HIV/AIDS.

The Australian government launches its second National HIV/AIDS Strategy (1993-94 to 1995-96).

By December 13,531 Australians have been diagnosed with HIV. 753 people with AIDS will die this year, bringing to a total of 4178 HIV positive Australians who have died.

However, prevention and education campaigns have demonstrated their value by causing a slowing in the number of new infections. New diagnoses for the year drop to 906, the first time they have been under 1,000 for several years. These numbers will continue to drop for the next few years.

In the US several new drug treatments show great potential to slow the progress of HIV infection. AIDS activists in Australia lobby the Australian government to release the drugs quickly to HIV positive people

A team of researchers from Macfarlane Burnet Institute for Medical Research and Public Health in Melbourne, and Westmead Hospital and the Blood Bank in Sydney, describe an unusual defect in the genetic code of HIV (deletion of parts of the NEF gene and LTR region). This defect has allowed a group of HIV positive people infected by a blood transfusion by an HIV positive donor in Sydney to remain well and symptomless 10 to 14 years after infection. At first this discovery holds great promise for a vaccine. Further research will suggest that, for safety reasons, this is not the best course for vaccines to prevent HIV. However, by 2000 vaccine researchers will return to this genetic code in their search for a vaccine to treat people with HIV. By 2003, 3 of the group remain symptomless, while others have died from non-HIV related causes.

Most HIV campaigns are now focussed on specific target groups and are run at a state and territory level. The Australian government funds a major initiative aimed at schools, launching Out in the Open: HIV/AIDS and STD Resources for Secondary Schools

In October, a support group for Victorian HIV positive heterosexual men called Straight Arrows is launched.

The new antiretroviral treatments, including the new class of drug called protease inhibitors, such as Saquinavir and Ritonavir, become widely available through specialist clinics in Australia. People with HIV now begin taking a combination of different drugs, which will slow the progression of HIV illness in many people. Death rates fall.

At the International AIDS Conference in Canada medical and scientific researchers give the first positive reports about the impact of the new treatments and testing processes for viral load (level of virus in the blood). Dr David Ho from New York speculates that 2 to 3 years of continuous treatment with these drugs could clear the virus completely from people's bodies, but this is later found not to be the case.

Despite years of protest action Fairfield Hospital is officially closed on June 30 and the HIV community mourns its passing. The Alfred Hospital and the Royal Melbourne Hospital officially take over the services provided by Fairfield Hospital.

The third Australian National HIV/AIDS Strategy (96/97 to 98/99) is launched.

In 1997 there is a national total of 729 new diagnoses of HIV infection. NSW makes up over half of that total (53%) with Victoria accounting for 22%.

The cumulative number of HIV infections at the end of 1998 is estimated to be 16,714, with an estimated 10,958 people still living with HIV.

The HIV Futures Study is launched. As the first national study of Australians living with HIV/AIDS, it takes a more holistic approach to the impact of HIV on people's lives. The report covers health, medical treatments and complementary therapies, sex and relationships, involvement in the HIV and gay communities, housing, and employment in the lives of HIV positive people living all around Australia.

The Victorian AIDS Council turns 15 years old. It supports the case of Matt Hall, an footballer banned from playing by the Victorian Amateur Football Association because he has HIV. Matt takes his case to the Civil and Administrative Tribunal and will win re-instatement as a player.

Standing on Shifting Sand, the first national report on women living with HIV/AIDS, is launched as part of Positive Women Victoria's 10th Birthday celebrations.

The world grieves for Jonathan Mann, the former Director of UNAIDS, and AIDS researcher Mary Lou Clements Mann who die in the crash of Swissair Flight 111.

National researchers estimate that around 50% of all people living with HIV are receiving antiretroviral treatments at this time. There are increasing political and public perceptions that HIV is no longer an issue. VAC launches a campaign to remind people that 'the epidemic is not over'. Issues of poverty, isolation, inadequate housing, depression and treatment side-effects emerge as major issues for positive people.

In Melbourne a schoolgirl contracts HIV through a blood transfusion. It is the first case of HIV transmission through blood bank supplies in Australia since universal blood screening was introduced. The Victorian Department of Human Services places the risk of this occurring at 1 in 1.2 million.

In August the Australian Health Ministers agree to the introduction of Nucleic Acid Testing in Blood Banks, which will reduce the window period for HIV from 22 to 11 days.

Although the increasing range of antiretroviral drugs available for people with HIV gives hope to many, their side-effects are often proving difficult to manage.

The Alfred opens its new continuing care/palliative care unit for people with HIV/AIDS. It is named 'Fairfield House' in memory of the care provided by Fairfield Hospital in the early years of the epidemic.

By 2000 the national annual number of HIV diagnoses has continued to decline, although the rate of this decline has slowed.

In Victoria, however, there is a 41% increase in new HIV diagnoses. The increases are in several groups, occurring among gay and bisexual men, women and people who inject drugs. Researchers are unsure whether this indicates a change in behaviour in the community.

It is twenty years since the first case of AIDS was identified. Overall an estimated 18,854 people have been diagnosed in Australia, with an estimated 12,730 living with HIV infection. Around 6180 men, women and children have died from AIDS.

The impact of the new HIV treatments continues to be seen, with the level of survival after being diagnosed with AIDS doubling between 1994 and 1997. The number of deaths in Australia drops to 100 for the year, the lowest since 1985. Side-effects are still a major issue for many people on treatment.

In Victoria, numbers of new diagnoses with HIV continue to rise. In March the Victorian government responds by releasing its HIV Action Plan, which includes a safe sex advertising campaign targeted at gay and bisexual men with high-risk behaviours. The Victorian AIDS Council's Executive Director Mike Kennedy warns 'there is no room for complacency about HIV/AIDS'.

On World AIDS Day Positive Women launches its Positive Steps campaign on the steps of parliament. This is a public event to raise awareness of the issues for women around contracting HIV - so that women and the community will take positive steps to ensure no more women become infected.

The Victorian Government publishes its first state strategy on HIV/AIDS.

In Victoria the number of HIV diagnoses rises again, reaching the highest annual total of diagnoses since 1994. Diagnoses are rising among gay and bisexual men and among women. Other states are beginning to see a similar trend, with New South Wales and Queensland also reporting increased numbers of HIV diagnoses.

Approximately 52% of all people with HIV in Australia are estimated to be receiving antiretroviral treatment. While many people with HIV are now living longer and experiencing fewer HIV-related illnesses, others are developing resistance to the drugs or have to stop taking the drugs due to side-effects.

The Victorian HIV/AIDS Service at The Alfred hospital, the Victorian AIDS Council and specialist employment agencies now offer special employment and financial management programs to help some HIV positive people go back to work and plan for the future. Having babies has become a real possibility for some HIV positive women and men. The HIV Futures 3 study shows that discrimination is still a problem.

Treatment forums for people living with HIV focus on dealing with side-effects. HIV medical services have started special clinics and treatments to manage specific side-effects, such as body fat changes and heart disease. Depression and mental health issues are high priorities in the HIV community.

Despite promising research a cure or vaccination against HIV remains elusive.

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Prepared by

Philomena Horsley , Consultant
Suzanne O'Callaghan, Co-ordinator, Access Information Centre At The Alfred

Thanks to

Dr Chris Birch, Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory
Dr Liz Dax, National Serology Reference Laboratory
Assoc Prof Nick Deacon, Macfarlane Burnet Institute for Medical Research and Public Health
Prof Ian Gust, University of Melbourne
Dr Ron Lucas
Assoc Prof Anne Mijch, Victorian HIV/AIDS Service, The Alfred

for their input

Reviewed by

The Alfred
Assoc Prof Anne Mijch, Victorian HIV/AIDS Service
Prof Sharon Lewin, Infectious Diseases Unit

© 2003 Access Information Centre At The Alfred
The Access Information Centre is funded by the Victorian Department of Human Services and managed by The Alfred.
This fact sheet may be printed and photocopied.

Disclaimer
This information is provided for educational purposes only and is done so without liability or recourse. This information is not intended to replace professional health care advice. We strongly recommend that you discuss any issues concerning your health and treatment with your health care provider before taking action or relying on the information.