Fiji declares national HIV emergency as cases surge

Fiji has declared a national public health emergency due to a sharp increase in HIV infections. One in every 60 adults in this Pacific island nation now lives with the virus, up from one in 167 five years ago. In 2025 alone, health officials recorded 2,016 new diagnoses, a significant rise from previous years. This surge is attributed to an expanding intravenous drug issue, with methamphetamine use spreading through communities and facilitating needle sharing.

Half of all new HIV diagnoses in 2025 were linked to individuals who inject drugs. Experts warn that many may be unaware of their infection. The epidemic disproportionately affects vulnerable groups, such as pregnant women, who account for one in 50 cases, leading to mother-to-child transmission. The crisis has even impacted infants, with a two-month-old baby diagnosed with both HIV and tuberculosis.

Only about 39 percent of those living with HIV in Fiji know their status, and fewer than a quarter receive treatment. This starkly contrasts with the global average of 78 percent. Social stigma and cultural obstacles also impede effective intervention, as deep religious beliefs discourage discussions about premarital or casual sex.

The Fijian government is taking swift action, including expanding testing, treatment availability, and a needle and syringe program. International organizations have commended the emergency declaration, emphasizing that the global fight against AIDS continues and that countries must be prepared to respond urgently.