Fiji declares national HIV crisis amid rising infections
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The government of Fiji declared a national crisis regarding HIV after a 27 percent increase in new diagnoses within one year.
In 2025, Fiji recorded 2,016 new HIV diagnoses. Government estimates suggest that approximately one in 60 adults in the country, which has a population of around 900,000, is now living with the virus. The increase in infections places Fiji among the nations experiencing the fastest growth in new HIV cases globally, according to UNAIDS.
While the epidemic was previously linked to intravenous drug use, transmission is now occurring through a wider range of means. Authorities also note that expanded diagnostic testing has helped identify more cases, allowing for quicker treatment. A particularly concerning trend is the transmission of HIV to infants. In 2025, 59 babies were born with HIV in Fiji, and 18 of those infants died before their first birthdays.
In response, Fiji plans to expand access to free, voluntary, and confidential testing, preventative medications, and antiretroviral therapy, as well as harm reduction services for people who inject drugs. UNAIDS estimates that only 39 percent of people with HIV in Fiji know they have the virus, and only 22 percent receive treatment.
Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS, stated that Fiji has "recognized the urgency of the situation and is stepping up its response," adding that the crisis serves as a reminder that "AIDS has not gone away."
