Fiji declares HIV a national crisis as new diagnoses surge

Fiji has declared HIV a national crisis following a sharp increase in diagnoses across the Pacific island nation.

The government said 2,016 people were newly diagnosed with HIV in 2025, representing a 27% increase from 1,583 cases recorded in 2024.

Authorities estimate that roughly one in 60 adults in Fiji is living with HIV.

UNAIDS said Fiji is experiencing one of the sharpest increases in new HIV infections globally, estimating that infections rose twelvefold between 2010 and 2025.

About 9,100 people were estimated to be living with HIV in Fiji in 2025, while only 39% knew their HIV status and about 22% were receiving antiretroviral treatment.

The rise has been linked to several factors, including sexual transmission and injecting drug use.

UNAIDS said that among cases where the mode of transmission was known, more than half were linked to sexual transmission while over 42% were associated with injecting drug use.

Fiji plans to expand free and confidential HIV testing, prevention medication, treatment and harm-reduction services.

The government is also preparing a needle and syringe programme as part of its response to transmission associated with injecting drug use.

Officials have stressed that the declaration is intended to accelerate public-health action rather than create fear or stigma.

UNAIDS notes that HIV is not spread through normal everyday contact and that people receiving effective treatment who maintain an undetectable viral load do not sexually transmit the virus.