So far, we knew that the HIV virus originated in Africa and is thought to have first appeared among primates. Scientists originally estimated that the virus began to transfer to humans after the beginning of the 20th century, and it is believed it evolved from the Simian version of the virus, SIV. The first reported data concludes that the virus became a functioning human pathogen and began spreading in sub-Saharan areas, such as Cameroon and Gabon.

A recent study, however, contradicts the data taken for granted so far. New findings date the appearance of the virus in humans in a time period between 1880 and 1920, compared to the initial estimated appearance, in the 1930s. By analyzing 1960 wax-embedded HIV strains from a woman in Kinshasa, researchers discovered the second oldest HIV-1 group M genetic sequence known so far, except for that of an infected man whose blood sample was taken in 1959.

Except these two samples, the oldest ones were taken in the 1970s and 1980s, when the medical world and the parts of the public were aware of AIDS. Comparing the oldest two HIV strains, scientists were able to more accurately track the virus’ evolution and to more closely estimate the time when it crossed over to humans.

Scientists and doctors explain that HIV may one day be extinct, with the help of the public. For instance, awareness must be spread about the disease’s means of transmission. Furthermore, although the current state of the world lessens the spreading of the virus, basic protection methods may one day lead to the virus being extinct among humans and it also entails all infected patients taking their antiretroviral “cocktail”.