24,982 detections of HIV-antibodies were performed between 1st October 1985 and 31 October 1986, on Reunion Island (550,000 inhabitants) and also on three groups of population: blood donors (23,413), in-patients (505) out-patients (974). 17 tests Pasteurs Elevia confirmed by Western-blotting were found positives. These safe-carriers were essentially detected in homosexual population, some drug people (intravenous injections) and hemodialyzed patients. Virus was recently introduced in island. No AIDS case has been observed to day.