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Fiji Declares HIV Emergency Amid Rising Infections
Confirmed
In Short: Fiji has declared a national health emergency due to a rapid increase in HIV infections, with one in every 60 adults now living with the virus.
Fiji has declared a national health emergency due to a rapid increase in HIV infections, with one in every 60 adults now living with the virus. Health officials report that 2,060 new infections were identified in 2025 alone, and about half of these were among people who use injectable drugs. The Health Minister, Lalabalavu, stated that the infection situation is serious and requires immediate coordinated action.
According to Renata Ram, Fiji Country Adviser for UNAIDS, the speed of infection spread and the large number of people unaware of their infection are causes for concern. Joleen Kolati, Executive Director of Fiji Network Plus, highlighted challenges such as poverty, difficulty accessing healthcare services, concerns about confidentiality, and social discrimination that prevent many from getting tested and treated.
Health statistics show that one in every 50 pregnant women in Fiji is HIV positive, and a two-month-old infant was found to have both HIV and tuberculosis infections. The rising use of illicit drugs, unsafe sexual practices, low testing rates, and social stigma against people living with HIV have added challenges to controlling the infection. While new infections are decreasing worldwide, the situation in Fiji is worsening.
In January 2025, Fiji had already declared an HIV outbreak and increased testing. However, only about 39 percent of people living with HIV in Fiji know their status. The declaration of the emergency is aimed at addressing these issues and preventing further spread of the virus.
What's confirmed
- Fiji has declared a national health emergency due to a rapid increase in HIV infections, with one in every 60 adults now living with the virus. Health officials report that 2,060 new infections were identified in 2025 alone, and about half of these were among people who use injectable drugs. The Health Minister, Lalabalavu, stated that the infection situation is serious and requires immediate coordinated action.
- According to Renata Ram, Fiji Country Adviser for UNAIDS, the speed of infection spread and the large number of people unaware of their infection are causes for concern. Joleen Kolati, Executive Director of Fiji Network Plus, highlighted challenges such as poverty, difficulty accessing healthcare services, concerns about confidentiality, and social discrimination that prevent many from getting tested and treated.
- Health statistics show that one in every 50 pregnant women in Fiji is HIV positive, and a two-month-old infant was found to have both HIV and tuberculosis infections. The rising use of illicit drugs, unsafe sexual practices, low testing rates, and social stigma against people living with HIV have added challenges to controlling the infection. While new infections are decreasing worldwide, the situation in Fiji is worsening.
- In January 2025, Fiji had already declared an HIV outbreak and increased testing. However, only about 39 percent of people living with HIV in Fiji know their status. The declaration of the emergency is aimed at addressing these issues and preventing further spread of the virus.
What's still developing
- Fiji has declared its escalating HIV epidemic a national emergency after new estimates showed one in every 60 adults is living with the virus, a development with particular relevance to Tonga because of the close and longstanding movement of people between the two Pacific nations.