Fiji Faces HIV Crisis as One in 60 Residents Affected
WHO:
DW.com - Health Minister Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu stated that the known adult prevalence of HIV has almost tripled in five years in Fiji.
DW.com - The government announced that a sub-committee will be formed by Health Minister Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu and four other relevant Cabinet ministers to help remove barriers to rapid action.
ABC News World - Hon. Dr. Antonio Lalabalavu, Fiji's Minister for Health and Medical Services, declared a national HIV emergency.
The Guardian - Dr. Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu, Fiji’s health and medical services minister
CNN - Winnie Byanyima, UNAIDS executive director
CNN - Renata Ram, Fiji adviser for the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS
CNN - Joeli Colati, executive director of Fiji Network Plus
WHAT:
DW.com - The government reported that among pregnant women, two in every 100 are living with HIV.
DW.com - The government warned that 59 babies were born with HIV in 2025, with 18 dying before their first birthday.
DW.com - The UN estimates that fewer than half of Fiji's HIV sufferers know their status, at least as of last year prior to the current efforts to boost screening services.
ABC News World - The national HIV emergency was declared due to a rising number of reported cases, with one in every 60 adults now estimated to be living with HIV.
ABC News World - The government reported that approximately 2,060 new HIV diagnoses were recorded in 2025, which is 16 times more than in 2019.
DW.com - In 2025, Fiji recorded 2,016 new HIV diagnoses, which is 16 times the number recorded in 2019.
DW.com - Among pregnant women, two in every 100 are living with HIV, and 59 babies were born with HIV in 2025, with 18 dying before their first birthday.
CNN - A two-month-old baby has been identified as the youngest patient living with both HIV and tuberculosis (TB) in Fiji.
CNN - In 2025, people who inject drugs accounted for roughly half of new HIV cases in Fiji where a transmission mode was identified.
CNN - Fiji's HIV crisis is characterized by a significant increase in new infections, with UNAIDS reporting a 12-fold spike in new infections between 2010 and 2025.
CNN - The global average for people with HIV accessing treatment is 78%, contrasting sharply with Fiji's 22%.
The Guardian - Fiji has declared a national HIV emergency due to a spike in infections.
The Guardian - One in every 60 adults in Fiji is now living with HIV.
The Guardian - In 2025, Fiji recorded 2,060 new HIV diagnoses.
CNN - In 2025, 117 HIV-related deaths were reported in Fiji, up from 25 in 2021.
CNN - Only 39% of people living with HIV in Fiji are aware of their status, and only 22% are accessing antiretroviral treatment.
CNN - One in 50 pregnant women in Fiji are infected with HIV.
CNN - Last year, 59 babies acquired HIV from their mothers.
WHERE:
The Guardian - Fiji, a Pacific nation with a population of less than one million.
WHEN:
ABC News World - The national HIV emergency was declared on September 15, 2026.
The Guardian - The emergency declaration followed a cabinet decision on 9 September.
CNN - Fiji first declared an outbreak of HIV in January 2025.
WHY:
The Guardian - The rise in HIV infections is correlated with an increase in methamphetamine use.
CNN - Fiji has seen a surge in intravenous drug use, which has become a major route of HIV transmission.
CNN - Low condom use, multiple sexual partners, limited testing, and stigma are contributing factors to the outbreak.
HOW:
DW.com - The government is expanding access to free HIV testing, prevention services, and treatment, including rapid testing and harm-reduction measures for people who inject drugs.
ABC News World - The government is offering free HIV testing that provides on-the-spot results, free prevention medications for those at higher risk, free needles for those who inject drugs, and free treatment for all those who test positive.
DW.com - The government is expanding access to free HIV testing, prevention services, and treatment, including rapid testing and harm-reduction measures for people who inject drugs.
CNN - Health Minister Lalabalavu stated that Fiji will introduce a formal needle and syringe program as part of its response to the HIV emergency.
The Guardian - The government plans to introduce a needle and syringe program and expand prevention, testing, and access to treatment.
CNN - Health Minister Lalabalavu stated that Fiji will move quickly to respond to the emergency by expanding testing, treatment, and access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
(UPDATED September 17, 2026 21:00 UTC)
In a concerning update from Fiji, Health Minister Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu announced that the adult prevalence of HIV has nearly tripled in just five years, prompting the formation of a sub-committee to address barriers to rapid action. The government reported that among pregnant women, two in every 100 are living with HIV, and tragically, 59 babies were born with the virus in 2025, with 18 of them not surviving past their first birthday. To combat this growing crisis, the government is expanding access to free HIV testing, prevention services, and treatment, including rapid testing and harm-reduction measures for those who inject drugs.
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(UPDATED September 17, 2026 19:01 UTC)
Fiji's Minister for Health and Medical Services, Hon. Dr. Antonio Lalabalavu, has declared a national HIV emergency due to a significant rise in reported cases, with one in every 60 adults now estimated to be living with HIV. In 2025 alone, approximately 2,060 new HIV diagnoses were recorded, marking a staggering increase of 16 times compared to 2019. To combat this crisis, the government is providing free HIV testing with immediate results, along with free prevention medications, needles for those who inject drugs, and treatment for anyone who tests positive.
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(UPDATED September 17, 2026 16:00 UTC)
In 2025, Fiji saw a staggering increase in HIV diagnoses, with 2,016 new cases reported, which is 16 times higher than the figures from 2019. Among pregnant women, two out of every 100 are living with HIV, and tragically, 59 babies were born with the virus that year, with 18 not surviving past their first birthday. In response to this alarming situation, the government is taking action by expanding access to free HIV testing, prevention services, and treatment, including rapid testing and harm-reduction measures for people who inject drugs.
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(UPDATED September 17, 2026 13:59 UTC)
A two-month-old baby has been identified as the youngest patient living with both HIV and tuberculosis in Fiji, highlighting a growing health crisis in the region. The country has seen a staggering 12-fold increase in new HIV infections between 2010 and 2025, with people who inject drugs accounting for roughly half of the new cases. In response to this emergency, Health Minister Lalabalavu announced that Fiji will introduce a formal needle and syringe program to help combat the rising rates of infection.
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(UPDATED September 17, 2026 04:02 UTC)
Fiji has declared a national HIV emergency due to a significant spike in infections, with one in every 60 adults now living with the virus. The government plans to introduce a needle and syringe program and expand access to testing and treatment, as health officials highlight the correlation between rising HIV rates and increased methamphetamine use. Health Minister Lalabalavu emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting that only 39% of those living with HIV are aware of their status, and just 22% are receiving necessary antiretroviral treatment.