SUVA, Fiji — Fiji has declared a national HIV emergency following a sharp rise in infections, with health authorities estimating that about one in every 60 adults in the Pacific island nation is now living with the virus.
The government announced the emergency as it moves to expand HIV testing, treatment and prevention services amid what UNAIDS describes as one of the sharpest increases in new HIV infections globally. New infections increased 12-fold between 2010 and 2025, according to UNAIDS.
An estimated 9,100 people were living with HIV in Fiji in 2025, but only 39 per cent knew their status and just 22 per cent were accessing antiretroviral treatment.
Fiji recorded 2,016 new HIV diagnoses in 2025, a 27 per cent increase from the previous year and 16 times the number recorded in 2019, according to Reuters.
The government says it will expand access to free HIV testing and treatment, while strengthening prevention services. Measures include rapid testing, preventive medication such as PrEP and harm-reduction services, including access to clean needles for people who inject drugs.
The increase has been linked to both sexual transmission and injecting drug use. Among cases where the mode of transmission was known, more than half were attributed to sexual transmission and about 42 per cent to injecting drug use, according to UNAIDS.
The situation is also affecting pregnant women and babies. Fiji estimates that about two in every 100 pregnant women are living with HIV. In 2025, 59 babies were born with HIV and 18 died before reaching their first birthday.
Health Minister Atonio Lalabalavu said the emergency declaration reflects the seriousness of the situation and the need for a coordinated national response.
UNAIDS has welcomed Fiji’s response, including planned legislation for a needle and syringe programme and expanded access to prevention, testing and treatment
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