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The discovery of SIV linked to HIV
Around the 1930s researchers from Europe estimate that SIV, simian immunodefiancy was transmitted to humans in central Africa. This virus was identified as HIV-I. SIV is found in chimpanzees and in the early 1930s scientists predict that this was the first time that SIV was transmitted into humans and became HIV. -
First Case of HIV in Congo
A man died in 1959 in Congo, which later was discovered that it was because of the virus HIV. Scientists discovered that it was HIV because of his preserved blood samples. The scientists who did this study did not sequence a full virus from his samples, but after many attempts four shorter sequences were found. The sequences represented small amounts of two of the six genes that make up the complete HIV genome. -
The First Case of HIV in US
The fist case of HIV in the U.S. was on June 28, 1959. Ardouin Atonio, a 49-year old Jamiacan American died of (PCP) pneumonia, which is a disease that is closely associated with AIDS. Gordon Hennigar, a doctor who performed the postmortem examination on Antonio discovered that the pneumonia that was found was very unusual for an adult therefore he saved Antonio's lungs for a further study. The case was published into two medical journals where Hennigar quoted that he believed Antonio has AIDS. -
Blood Transfusions Spreading HIV
In the 1960s, the demand for blood started to increase. Blood donations were not screened because doctors were unaware of how HIV could spread so rapidly. Also, in the 1960's haemophiliacs began benefitting from the blood clotting properties of a product called Factor VIII. However, in order to make this blood each individuals donated blood would be pooled so one persons blood could contaminate a whole batch. This put thousands of haemophiliacs all over the world at risk or infected with HIV. -
AIDS epidemic in Kinshasa
The first AIDS epidemic occured in Kinshasa. The rise of infections signalled the emerging epidemic in Congolese capital. The surge of infections that were present was cryptococcal meningitis, Kaposi's sarcoma, tubercolosis and specific forms of pneumonia. The HIV virus was brought to the city by an individual who traveled from Cameroon down the river into Congo. Therefore, when the virus arrived in Kinshasa it spread quickly. The first heterosexually-spread HIV epidemic has begun. -
Uganda was hit hard with AIDS epidemic
In the 1980s, Uganda was heavily impacted by the spread of AIDS. At the beginning of the decade there was an increase in the severe case of 'slim disease, ' alongwith a large number of fatal infections such as, Kaposi's sarcoma. By this time doctors were aware of similar symptoms of AIDS in the US. After doctors realized the connection 'slim disease' was infact AIDS, research was started to find transmission patterns, risk factors, and the prevalence of HIV in Uganda. -
Formation of the Protest Group Act Up
When HIV was spreading all over the world, calls went out for mass qaurantines, children with AIDs had their homes burned down, and homophobic views skyrocketed. People with AIDS grew more and more angry that there was no actions that were being taken to help. The frustration grew and therefore ACT UP was created that was a protest group that dominated AIDS politics and policies for the next several years. -
President Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia Announcement
Many older and highly respected politicans hesistate to admit to or acknowledge the HIV/AIDS epidemic in their country because they fear that they will cause panic or discourage other people from wanting to visit their country. Therefore, when President Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia announced to the world that his son died of AIDS it was significant. -
The Creation of World Aids Day
The first global AIDS day was in 1988, however the idea was concieved in August, 1987. It is held on December 1, every year since and it is a chance for people to unite worldwide against the fight of HIV, to support the people living with the disease and to remember those who have died. This day was created by James W. Bunn and Thomas Netter, twp public information officers for the Global Program on AIDS. -
Researchers discovered HIV link to monkeys
A group of researchers from Univeristy of Alabama discovered a type of SIV that was almost identical to the virus HIV-1. This strain was identified from a member of the sub-group of chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes troglodytes), which were common in west-central Africa before. Their findings concluded that wild chimps have two different simian immunodeficiency viruses that when they are together form a third virus that could be passed to other chimps or could cross over to humans and become AIDS
