WORLDWIDE HIV SPREAD - ASPECTS AND DYNAMI C OF A TARDIVE EPIDEMIC

The present situation of the HIV pandemic is described on the basis of current data from the World Health Organization (WHO), the Joint Unit ed Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the United States Center fo r Disease Control (CDC), and selected papers on the subject. The world wide situation is unstable and alarming. New regional HIV subepidemics are spreading rapidly on several continents. On the worldwide level, the HIV epidemic has not yet reached its maximum: in the next 3-4 year s 10-12 millions HIV-infected persons will be added to the existing 22 .6 millions. The epidemiological situation in the industrialized count ries is described separately: in contrast to the developing countries, HIV transmission among drug addicts predominates, while heterosexual transmission continues to increase. The findings of molecular epidemio logy reflect migration trends and special conditions for spread of the disease. As a consequence of the HIV epidemic, classical epidemic dis eases, such as tuberculosis, are on the increase again. The worldwide HIV epidemic is more serious than ever and requires more effective pre ventive strategies.