The AIDS epidemic began when a virus became zoonotic and was transmitted from primates to humans in Africa. The virus spread rapidly and is likely much older than commonly believed. Researchers hope to use this knowledge to develop new treatments and vaccines.
The onset of the AIDS epidemic was a subtle change in a virus’s genetic material that allowed the virus to become zoonotic, meaning it could be transferred from animals to people. Over a period of time that probably lasted decades, the virus was repeatedly transmitted from primates in Africa to people, and eventually established a foothold in the human population and began spreading beyond the borders of the African continent. By the time scientists and medical professionals were able to connect all the dots, the AIDS epidemic had spread to much of the world; in 2007, more than 33 million people worldwide were infected with HIV, the virus that turns into AIDS.
There is some controversy surrounding the start of the AIDS epidemic, and even now researchers are still putting the pieces of the puzzle together. It is clear that the HIV virus originated in primates living in West and Central Africa and was likely transmitted to humans in communities where people eat primate meat. Some researchers have suggested that the increase in cities in Africa may also have contributed to the spread of AIDS by concentrating human populations.
From Africa, the AIDS virus leapt to Haiti, and then began to spread rapidly in different directions. A gay flight attendant sometimes referred to as “Patient Zero” is often vilified for causing the AIDS epidemic, but all the evidence suggests the virus spread simultaneously in several communities; the HIV virus actually has several groupings or “clades,” illustrating the fact that it was not caused by a single individual.
The clades also suggest something more interesting, which is that HIV and AIDS are probably much older than people think. Common knowledge about the AIDS epidemic suggests that the virus originated in the 1980s, but in fact it began to spread more likely in the 1930s, growing exponentially until there were enough cases in the 1980s to allow medical professionals to realize they have an epidemic. At least one documented death from AIDS dates back to the 1950s, supporting this view.
By learning more about the spread of the AIDS epidemic, researchers hope to discover new techniques for treating and possibly curing or vaccinating against the disease. For example, different clades respond in unique ways to treatment, illustrating the diversity of HIV and AIDS viruses, and some clades are more fatal than others; the less fatal clades are likely older, as their victims would have lived long enough for the disease to spread further.
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