Number of AIDS Cases in County Hits 1,000 Mark
The number of reported AIDS cases in San Diego County has reached 1,000, but officials say the incidence of new cases is declining despite a rise in the number of victims among intravenous drug users.
The county’s first AIDS case was reported in 1981, and nearly half of the victims have died from acquired immune deficiency syndrome, the county health department said.
“This is a sad day for the county, but one that we knew we would reach,” said Dr. J. William Cox, department director. “While there is some comfort in the fact that cases are no longer doubling each year in this county, the 245 cases reported this year through the end of July alone will place a tremendous strain on a health care system that is already overburdened.”
AIDS is caused by a virus that damages the body’s immune system, leaving victims susceptible to death from infections and cancer.
It is spread through sexual contact, needles or syringes shared by drug abusers, transfusion of infected blood or blood products.
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