A woman virologist helps identify an AIDS-related virus

The international code addressed marketing practices for infant formula and other substitutes.

The code sought to protect breastfeeding while recognizing appropriate use of substitutes.

The assembly adopted the code as a recommendation that countries could implement through national measures.

Its adoption did not make all advertising restrictions automatically binding in every country.

Institut Pasteur researchers published their first paper on the new human retrovirus in Science.

The paper supplied evidence for investigating the virus that became known as HIV.

Identifying and publishing the retrovirus supported later work on tests and medicines; effective treatment did not yet exist.

The assembly adopted a resolution committing to global eradication of poliomyelitis.

The resolution called for immunization and coordinated surveillance in affected countries.

Countries and health workers were asked to work together to interrupt transmission.