Study Confirms AIDS Data

One of the most comprehensive studies conducted of the Florida town of Belle Glade, which has one of the highest rates of AIDS in the nation, has confirmed that the AIDS virus is not spread by mosquitoes and other insects, scientists say.

The study shows that sexual contact or sharing of hypodermic needles accounted for a majority of the 93 cases reported between July, 1982, and Aug. 1, 1987, with only seven remaining unexplained, according to the scientists, who are affiliated with the Centers for Disease Control and the Florida Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services. “Except for six cases of HIV infection of sex partners (three couples), there was no clustering of infection within households,” the report said, confirming past evidence showing that casual contact or exposure to insects did not spread the virus.

Belle Glade has had among the highest rates of AIDS in the nation, comparable to New York City and San Francisco. In November, during a visit by a presidential task force to the small community, officials said since 1981 the community of 19,000 had 117 cases of AIDS and that 90 people had died.