[HIV infection and AIDS in Austria]

AIDS is a notifiable disease in Austria. Until August 31, 1989, a total of 324 cases were recorded, with 145 deaths. Since 1988, the annual doubling of cases that was initially found is no longer observed. Centralization of confirmatory testing of samples that are positive in the ELISA permits us to follow up the incidence and prevalence of HIV infections. By September 15, 1989, a total of 3,071 persons were found to be infected. The highest rates of AIDS patients and seropositive individuals were recorded in Vienna (151/1,712), followed by Upper Austria (63/606) and the Tyrol (29/367). Among those found to be positive since October 1987, 28% are homo- or bisexual and 42% are i.v. drug addicts. About 4% of men and women report heterosexual contacts as the likely mode of infection. Since 1986 the yearly incidence of HIV infection appears to be decreasing. This development corresponds with a decline in other sexually transmitted diseases (gonorrhoea, hepatitis B) and indicates a change in the sexual behaviour of the population.