AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

PUBLIC HEALTH (INFECTIOUS AND NOTIFIABLE DISEASES) REGULATIONS (AMENDMENT)

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

No. 10 of 1983

The Public Health (Infectious and Notifiable Diseases) Regulations (Amendment) will make Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) a notifiable disease.  The regulation amends regulation 3 of the Public Health (Infectious and Notifiable Diseases) Regulation by inserting “Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome” into the definition of “notifiable disease”.

AIDS is a virus-like illness that can dramatically reduce a sufferer’s natural defences against infection.  The first cases are now occurring in Australia and compulsory notification is the first move to prevent the spread of the condition and to provide the maximum protection to those who may be exposed to risk.

A medical practitioner or hospital, on becoming aware that a person is, or may be, suffering from AIDS must notify the Medical Officer of Health.  Similarly, where a pathologist testing a specimen in order to ascertain whether a person is, or may be, suffering from AIDS, obtains a positive result, the Medical Officer of Health must be notified.