Fijian health authorities declared a national health emergency to combat a surging HIV epidemic that drove diagnoses up by 27% in a year. UNAids data shows 2,016 new cases were diagnosed in 2025, representing a 12-fold increase since 2010 in the nation of about 930,000 people.
National Health Emergency and Surging Case Numbers
An estimated 9,100 people are living with HIV in Fiji, translating to roughly one in 60 adults infected with the virus. Dr. Jason Mitchell, head of Fiji’s HIV epidemic response, stated that bringing the virus under control could take between five and 10 years, during which time he expects numbers to continue rising. The government initially announced the emergency in February 2025 before scaling up urgent response measures. Dr. Kesaia Tuidraki, country director of Medical Services Pacific, noted that only a fraction of those infected are tested and accessing treatment, describing an urgent crisis where children are suffering and dying.
The Intersection of Methamphetamine Use and Contaminated Needles
The outbreak is closely linked to an escalating drug epidemic involving methamphetamine, which surged domestically after COVID-19 border closures. According to official figures, more than 42% of new cases in 2025 resulted from sharing contaminated needles or equipment. Health advocates report that primary school-age children are among those injecting drugs and sharing syringes. Rochelle, a 38-year-old injecting drug user living with HIV, told the Guardian that young boys frequently ask her for syringes. While providing needles is currently classified under law as aiding and abetting drug use, advocates are pushing authorities to distribute thousands of unused needles sitting in a Suva warehouse. Mitchell expects an amendment to the HIV Act to pass within two weeks, granting public health workers the legal authority to distribute needles.
Did You Know?
According to UNAids regional director Eamonn Murphy, evidence shows that needle and syringe programs do not encourage drug use, contrary to concerns raised by some politicians and medical professionals.
Stigma, Cyberbullying, and Testing Challenges
Only 39% of Fijians living with HIV currently know their status, according to UNAids data. The outbreak has triggered social backlash, with minorities, the queer community, and women facing online attacks and cyberbullying. Mark Shaheel Lal, an advocate living with HIV, stated that the situation is treated like a scandal, leaving many people scared and in denial. Meanwhile, mobile medical teams continue targeted screening efforts, such as a recent Friday night operation outside a Suva McDonald’s where one in six of the 97 mostly teenage individuals tested positive.
Expanding Treatment Access and Prevention Strategies
To curb transmission—particularly to vulnerable populations like mothers and babies—the response team plans to open new clinics, integrate testing into general practitioner services, and hire at least 100 additional staff at an estimated extra cost of $23m FJD (US$10.2m) annually. Mitchell highlighted the potential introduction of PreP, a six-month injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis, as a major advance for prevention, particularly for women unable to negotiate safe sex. Currently, two in every 100 pregnant women in Fiji have HIV, prompting health facilities to offer three HIV tests during pregnancy alongside sexual reproductive hubs at the three main hospitals.
What caused the surge in HIV cases in Fiji?
What caused the surge in HIV cases in Fiji?
The surge is heavily linked to the domestic escalation of methamphetamine use, with over 42% of new cases in 2025 caused by sharing contaminated needles and equipment.
How many people are currently living with HIV in Fiji?
An estimated 9,100 people are living with HIV in Fiji, representing about one in 60 adults in the island nation.
What is being done to distribute clean needles?
Dr. Jason Mitchell expects an amendment to the HIV Act to pass within two weeks, which will allow public health workers to legally distribute clean needles and syringes to reduce transmission.
What percentage of HIV-positive individuals know their status?
According to UNAids, only 39% of people living with HIV in Fiji know their status.