Fiji Declares National HIV Emergency as HIV Diagnoses Surge to Record Levels

Fiji has declared a national HIV emergency after recording its highest annual number of newly diagnosed HIV cases, with health authorities warning that the country is facing a rapidly expanding public health challenge.

Fiji’s Minister for Health and Medical Services, Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu, announced the national emergency on September 15, 2026. The decision represents an escalation of the government’s response to the HIV outbreak declared in January 2025.

According to Fiji’s Ministry of Health and Medical Services, the country recorded 2,016 new HIV diagnoses in 2025, the highest annual total since national HIV surveillance began. The figure was 27 percent higher than the 1,583 cases reported in 2024.

The latest figures have prompted renewed concern about HIV testing, treatment access, prevention services and the ability of the health system to reach people who may not yet know their status.

One in 60 Adults Estimated to Be Living With HIV

UNAIDS estimates that approximately 9,100 people were living with HIV in Fiji in 2025. The organization said new HIV infections increased twelvefold between 2010 and 2025, placing Fiji among countries experiencing some of the fastest increases in new infections globally.

Government estimates cited in recent reporting suggest that around one in every 60 adults in Fiji is living with HIV.

The scale of the epidemic has also raised concerns about testing and treatment coverage. UNAIDS reported that only 39 percent of people living with HIV knew their status in 2025, while approximately 22 percent were accessing antiretroviral treatment.

These figures indicate that a substantial number of people may remain undiagnosed or outside treatment services.

Early diagnosis is important because modern HIV treatment can suppress the virus and help people living with HIV maintain good health. Effective treatment also prevents sexual transmission when a person maintains an undetectable viral load.

HIV Diagnoses Have Increased Sharply

Fiji’s official HIV statistics show a significant increase in reported diagnoses over the past several years.

The Ministry of Health recorded 245 diagnoses in 2022, followed by 415 in 2023, 1,583 in 2024 and 2,016 in 2025. The ministry notes that the increase reflects both rising HIV transmission and improvements in testing coverage and surveillance.

The geographical distribution of cases has also changed. According to the Ministry of Health’s 2025 report, the Central and Eastern divisions experienced particularly large increases, with diagnoses in that area reaching 1,376 cases in 2025.

The growth in diagnoses does not necessarily mean every newly identified case represents a recent infection. Expanded testing can uncover infections that occurred earlier but had not previously been diagnosed. For this reason, diagnosis statistics should be interpreted alongside surveillance and epidemiological estimates.

Young Adults Represent a Large Share of Diagnoses

Young adults accounted for a substantial proportion of Fiji’s newly diagnosed cases in 2025.

The Ministry of Health reported that people aged 20 to 24 represented about 32 percent of diagnoses, while people between 20 and 34 accounted for approximately 66.9 percent of cases.

The concentration of diagnoses among younger adults has increased attention on HIV education, accessible testing and prevention services for younger populations.

Public health officials and community organizations face the additional challenge of addressing misinformation and stigma, which can discourage people from seeking HIV testing or treatment.

Sexual Transmission and Injecting Drug Use

The available data indicate that HIV transmission in Fiji is associated with several routes.

UNAIDS reported that among cases where the transmission route was known, more than half were linked to sexual transmission, while more than 42 percent were associated with injecting drug use.

However, Fiji’s Ministry of Health reported that the transmission route was unknown for a significant share of newly diagnosed cases. This means the available percentages should not be interpreted as representing every HIV diagnosis in the country.

Injecting drug use has become an increasingly important part of Fiji’s HIV response. UNAIDS has supported plans for a needle and syringe program, with legislative amendments expected to be considered by Parliament.

Such programs are designed to reduce the risk of HIV transmission associated with sharing contaminated injecting equipment.

Treatment Gaps Remain a Major Concern

The number of people entering HIV care remains an important issue for Fiji.

Of the 2,016 people diagnosed in 2025, Fiji’s surveillance data indicated that 845 people, or about 41.9 percent, were not enrolled in care when the data were analyzed.

Another 128 people were receiving care but had not yet started antiretroviral therapy.

The ministry also reported that among patients with available immune system test results, 36 percent had advanced HIV disease when diagnosed. This finding suggests that some people are reaching medical services relatively late in the course of infection.

Late diagnosis can make treatment more complicated and can increase the risk of HIV-related illness.

HIV-Related Deaths and Mother-to-Child Transmission

Fiji’s health authorities recorded 117 HIV-related deaths in 2025, including 17 children younger than 15. Sixteen of those children were under five years old.

The country also recorded 57 cases of mother-to-child transmission during the year.

These figures underline the importance of HIV testing during pregnancy and access to appropriate treatment and medical care for pregnant women living with HIV.

With timely treatment and appropriate medical support, the risk of HIV transmission from mother to child can be substantially reduced.

Fiji Plans to Expand Prevention and Treatment

The national emergency declaration is expected to accelerate Fiji’s response across government agencies and the health sector.

UNAIDS said Fiji plans to expand HIV testing, treatment and prevention programs. The government is also preparing to improve access to PrEP, medication that can help prevent HIV infection among people who are HIV-negative and at increased risk.

Long-acting HIV prevention options are also part of the measures being considered. UNAIDS said the government intends to strengthen community involvement and address stigma and discrimination associated with HIV.

The government has also established a Cabinet subcommittee intended to address policy and implementation barriers and speed up the national response.

Why the Emergency Declaration Matters

Fiji’s declaration places HIV higher on the national policy agenda at a time when diagnoses and estimated infections have increased substantially.

UNAIDS welcomed the move, describing it as an opportunity to strengthen cooperation between government agencies, communities, health workers and international partners. The organization also emphasized that the declaration should be viewed as a call for action rather than fear.

For Fiji, the immediate priorities include identifying people who have HIV but do not know their status, connecting newly diagnosed people with care, expanding prevention options and ensuring that treatment remains accessible.

The country’s experience also demonstrates how quickly an HIV epidemic can change when transmission increases or when previously undiagnosed infections become more visible through expanded testing.

As Fiji moves forward with its emergency response, sustained testing, treatment, prevention, community engagement and accurate public health information are likely to remain central to efforts to slow the spread of HIV.

Sources

Fiji Ministry of Health and Medical Services: 2025 National HIV Statistics Summary Report.

UNAIDS: Statement on Fiji's national HIV crisis and new response measures, September 16, 2026.

Fiji Ministry of Health: Updated HIV/AIDS statistics and public health information.

Disclaimer

This article is provided for general news and informational purposes only. HIV statistics, prevalence estimates and other public health figures can change as surveillance data are updated. Figures cited above reflect information publicly available from the sources listed at the time of publication. This article is not medical advice and should not replace guidance from a qualified healthcare professional or public health authority.