Fiji Faces Urgent HIV Emergency as Infections Surge

Fiji has called HIV a national emergency after seeing a sharp spike in new cases that’s putting huge pressure on its health system. Just in 2025, there were 2,016 new diagnoses—a jump of 27% from the year before. Officials now estimate that one in every 60 adults in Fiji lives with HIV. Compare that to five years ago, when it was just one in 167.

This epidemic isn’t just affecting drug users anymore. Last year alone, 59 babies in Fiji were born with HIV, and 18 of them didn’t make it to their first birthday. Health officials blame unsafe sex, needle sharing, and a dangerous trend called “bluetoothing,” where people inject blood from someone who’s already high.

To tackle it, the government’s ramping up free voluntary testing, broadening access to antiretroviral treatment, and expanding harm-reduction services. They’re planning a nationwide needle and syringe program, pushing for new laws to help with prevention, and cracking down on discrimination so people aren’t scared to get help.

UNAIDS has called Fiji’s spike in infections one of the fastest in the world and says it’s a wake-up call that demands quick action. Right now, only 39% of Fijians with HIV know they have it, and just 22% are getting treatment. That’s way below the world average of 78%.

Health Minister Antonio Lalabalavu says stigma is still a huge obstacle. He’s urging people to get tested and treated. Experts warn that turning this around could take five years or longer, so it’s going to be a long fight.

This declaration marks a big shift for Fiji, as the country pulls together to face down a crisis threatening its public health and its social fabric.