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AIDS knows no boundaries: officialSuburbs not immuneBy PATRICIA BRISKEAlthough the Acquired ImmuneDeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) virusmay seem to be the province of big cities like Chicago, suburbanites should not consider themselves out of the virus’ reach.Not by any means.Officials with the Cook County Department of Public Health said Tuesday that 89 cases of AIDS have been reported in the south and southwest districts of the county since 1983.“There’s no evidence the figures are going down,’ said Dr Ralph Cordell, communicable disease director. “But the statistics show what’s pastThe mean is eight years between contracting the virus and exhibiting symptoms, he saidIn the south suburbs alone, onlytwo cases of AIDS were reported in 1983 But by 1987 and 1988, 18 cases had been reported each year Records now show 61 cases have been reported in the south suburban area since reporting began.The southwest suburban area did not show any sign of the virus until 1984, when four cases were reportedIn 1986 and 1987, six cases were reported each year. To date, the area has 28 cases of AIDS on recordCordell predicted that the virus is likely to increase among women, blacks, and intravenous drug users, although the number of cases among the gay population is likely to decrease.“There is a pool of infection here,” said Sherry Weingart, AIDS program administrator. “The only way to stop it is not vaccination or finding a curebut education through prevention and control strategyWeingart said Cook County health officials are concentrating on offering free testing and counseling, and on working with community-based organizations such as the Markham Youth Committee and the Ford Heights-based FUTURE Foundation.The Markham Youth Committee is using its $2,500 health department grant to offer an overnight conference for teens that will offer discussion on AIDS, teen sexuality and sub-The FUTURE Foundation’s $4,922(Please turn to Page A-2)
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Alsip Star
Alsip, Illinois, US
Thu, Nov 23, 1989
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