HIV/AIDS History - Timeline

Before 1970s

• HIV (the virus that causes AIDS) probably transfers to humans in Africa between 1884 and 1924
• HIV probably enters Haiti around 1966

1970s

• HIV probably enters the United States around 1970
• African doctors see a rise in opportunistic infections and wasting
• Western scientists and doctors remain ignorant of the growing epidemic

1981

• AIDS is detected in California and New York
• The first cases are among gay men, then injecting drug users

1982

• AIDS is reported among haemophiliacs and Haitians in the USA
• AIDS is reported in several European countries
• The name “AIDS” – Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome – is created
• Community organisations in the UK and USA promote safer sex among gay men

1983

• AIDS is reported among non-drug using women and children
• Experts become more confident that the cause of AIDS is infectious
• Three thousand AIDS cases have been reported in the USA; one thousand have died

1984

• Scientists identify HIV (initially called HTLV-III or LAV) as the cause of AIDS
• Western scientists become aware that AIDS is widespread in parts of Africa
• The world's first needle exchange program is set up in Amsterdam, the Netherlands

1985

• An HIV test is licensed for screening blood supplies
• AIDS is found in China, and has therefore been seen in all regions of the world

1986

• More than 38,000 cases of AIDS have been reported from 85 countries
• Uganda begins promoting sexual behaviour change in response to AIDS

1987

• AZT is the first drug approved for treating AIDS
• The UK and other countries act to raise awareness of AIDS

1988

• The American government conducts a national AIDS education campaign
• Health ministers meet to discuss AIDS and establish a World AIDS Day

1990

• Around 8 million people are living with HIV worldwide, according to estimates made later

1991

• Thailand launches Asia’s most extensive HIV prevention programme

1993

• AZT is shown to be of no benefit to those in the early stages of HIV infection

1994

• AZT is shown to reduce the risk of mother-to-child transmission of HIV
• Infant HIV infections begin to fall in developed countries, due to use of AZT

1995

• The Joint United Nations Programme on AIDS (UNAIDS) is established

1996

• Combination antiretroviral treatment is shown to be highly effective against HIV
• In developed countries, many people begin taking the new treatment
• Annual global spending on AIDS in low- and middle-income countries is $300 million

1997

• AIDS deaths begin to decline in developed countries, due to the new drugs
• Brazil is the first developing country to begin providing free combination treatment
• In other developing countries, only a tiny minority can access treatment for HIV
• Around 22 million people are living with HIV worldwide, according to estimates made later

2000

• President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa voices support for AIDS dissidents

2001

• At a UN Special Session, world leaders set long-term targets on HIV/AIDS

2002

• The Global Fund is established to boost the response to AIDS, TB and malaria
• Botswana begins Africa’s first national AIDS treatment programme

2003

• AIDS drugs become more affordable for developing countries
• The “3 by 5” campaign is launched to widen access to AIDS treatment
• The first AIDS vaccine candidate to undergo a major trial is found to be ineffective

2004

• America launches a major initiative called PEPFAR to combat AIDS worldwide
• After much hesitancy, South Africa begins to provide free antiretroviral treatment

2006

• Circumcision is shown to reduce HIV infection among heterosexual men
  28% of people in developing countries who need treatment for HIV are receiving it
• Annual global spending on AIDS in low- and middle-income countries is $8.9 billion
• It is estimated that $14.9 billion would be needed for a truly effective response

2007

• Around 33 million people are living with HIV, according to revised estimates
• Another major HIV vaccine trial is halted after preliminary results show no benefit

2008

• A controversial Swiss study claims people adhering to ARVs have a "negligibly small" risk of transmitting HIV through unprotected sex
• PEPFAR is reauthorised, committing $48 billion for the next five years
• Michel Sidibé is named as new head of UNAIDS as Peter Piot steps down

Timeline content: www.avert.org