Fiji declares HIV a national crisis as diagnoses surge
Officials will expand testing, treatment and pre-exposure prophylaxis as more than 2,000 new cases were recorded in 2025, the government said.
- On Tuesday, Health Minister Dr. Atonio Lalabalavu declared a national HIV emergency in Fiji, citing the 'seriousness of the epidemic' after new diagnoses climbed 27% last year.
- Rising intravenous drug use, exacerbated by Fiji's role as a transit hub for illicit smuggling routes, has driven the surge; injecting drugs account for over 42% of cases.
- One in 60 Fijian adults now lives with HIV, while the epidemic has reached newborns; last year, 59 babies acquired the virus from their mothers, with 18 dying before their first birthday.
- The government pledged a 'whole-of-government response' including a cabinet-led needle and syringe programme to reduce transmission risks, with Lalabalavu announcing rapid expansion of testing and prevention services.
- UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima called the surge 'one of the sharpest increases in new HIV infections globally,' describing it as a 'stark reminder to the world that AIDS is not over.
34 Articles
34 Articles
The Fijian government estimates that one in 60 adults is living with HIV. It will expand access to free testing.
Fiji declares HIV a national crisis as diagnoses surge
Fiji has declared HIV a national crisis after new diagnoses climbed 27% last year, intensifying concern that an epidemic once concentrated among people who inject drugs is spreading more widely through the Pacific island nation.
The severity of the health problem became evident for the first time in January 2025, when Fiji first reported an HIV outbreak.
Fiji declares national HIV emergency as 1 in 60 adults estimated to have the virus
Fiji has declared a national HIV emergency after a sharp rise in infections linked partly to injecting drug use and unprotected sex. Officials and community groups say low testing, weak treatment access and stigma are worsening the crisis.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 57% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
