"New Infections Sixteen Times Higher Than in 2019"... National Emergency Declared Over Spread of This Virus

About One in Every 60 Adults Infected
Rise Attributed to Increased Sexual Contact and Drug Use

Photo related to infectious diseases. Getty Images Bank

In Fiji, a South Pacific island nation, the spread of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has reached the point where one out of every 60 adults is estimated to be infected, prompting the Fijian government to declare a national state of emergency.

According to AFP and other sources on September 18 (local time), the Fijian government recently made an official declaration of a national HIV emergency. However, this measure does not involve a full lockdown or travel ban across the country, but instead establishes a national public health emergency in response to the spread of HIV. Last year, Fiji recorded 2,016 new HIV cases. This is 16 times higher than the figure in 2019, representing a 27% surge from the previous year.

On April 20th (local time), an HIV prevention promotional banner was hung on a road in Suva, Fiji. Photo by AFP Yonhap News

It is currently estimated that about one in every 60 adults in Fiji is infected with HIV. Five years ago, the rate was one in 167 adults. Particularly concerning is the situation among pregnant women, with one in every 50 believed to be HIV-positive, raising serious concerns about newborn infections. Last year, 59 babies were born HIV-positive in Fiji, and 18 of them died before their first birthday.

Antonio Lalabalavu, Fiji’s Minister for Health, stated that the HIV national emergency declaration “recognizes the gravity of the epidemic and the urgent need for systematic nationwide action,” and pledged a government-wide response.

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) also pointed out that Fiji is among the countries experiencing one of the sharpest global increases in new HIV cases.

According to UNAIDS, as of last year, there were about 9,100 people living with HIV in Fiji, which has a population of about 920,000—meaning approximately one in every 60 adults was infected. However, it is estimated that only 39% of patients are aware of their HIV status and just 22% are receiving antiretroviral treatment.

AFP reported that the recent spike in HIV cases in Fiji is primarily linked to two transmission routes: sexual contact and shared use of injection needles. According to UNAIDS data, over half of confirmed HIV cases are attributable to sexual transmission, while more than 42% are related to injecting drugs and sharing needles.

Renata Ram, Fiji Country Director for UNAIDS, explained that “since around 2019, high-risk drug users—mainly within sex worker communities—have emerged as a core group fueling the rise of HIV infections.” Due to its geography, Fiji has increasingly served as a transit hub for drugs moving from Central and South America or Asia toward Australia and New Zealand, with the influx of methamphetamine and cocaine in the region surging after the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, AFP reported that overseas criminal organizations have begun paying local partners in drugs instead of cash, leading to the spread of drugs within Fiji’s domestic market.

Fijian authorities plan to strengthen HIV prevention and treatment by expanding free, voluntary, and confidential HIV testing, implementing pre-exposure prophylaxis, and providing free treatment for those living with HIV.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.