The Fiji HIV crisis has escalated after the government formally declared HIV a national emergency on September 15, 2026, amid a sharp rise in infections and continuing gaps in diagnosis and treatment.
The declaration builds on an outbreak response launched in January 2025 and is intended to bring a wider, government-wide approach to prevention, testing, treatment and harm reduction.
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Why the Fiji HIV crisis is worsening
Fiji recorded 2,016 newly registered HIV cases in 2025, the highest annual total in the country’s surveillance history.
The figure was 27 per cent higher than the 1,583 cases recorded in 2024, according to Fiji’s Ministry of Health and Medical Services.
The ministry cautions that the increase reflects both ongoing transmission and improved detection through expanded testing and surveillance.
Fiji’s official 2025 report recorded 5,676 cumulative cases between 1989 and 2025, along with 117 HIV-related deaths during 2025.
UNAIDS estimates that about 9,100 people were living with HIV in Fiji in 2025, approximately 12 times the estimated number in 2010.
Only 39 per cent of people estimated to be living with HIV knew their status, while 22 per cent were accessing antiretroviral treatment, according to UNAIDS.
Young people and regional hotspots face particular pressure
People aged 20 to 24 accounted for 646 of the newly diagnosed cases in 2025, or 32 per cent of the annual total.
The Central and Eastern divisions accounted for 1,376 new diagnoses, representing 68.3 per cent of all cases recorded in the year.
The Western Division recorded another 556 cases, or 27.6 per cent of the national total.
Children accounted for 67 newly diagnosed cases in 2025, including 56 cases linked to mother-to-child transmission.
The figures have increased pressure on health authorities to improve prenatal screening, early diagnosis and access to treatment for pregnant women and newborns.
Major gaps remain after diagnosis
The ministry’s data shows that 976 people newly diagnosed in 2025 were receiving antiretroviral therapy, while 128 were in care but had not yet started treatment.
Another 845 people, or 41.9 per cent of those newly diagnosed, were not enrolled in care.
By the end of 2025, 3,535 people living with HIV had been reported in Fiji’s national system, with 1,979 receiving antiretroviral therapy.
Only 288 people had documented viral suppression, highlighting the need for stronger follow-up, treatment adherence and routine viral-load monitoring.
Modern HIV treatment can help people live long, healthy lives and can prevent sexual transmission when the virus is suppressed, but those benefits depend on timely diagnosis and continued access to care.
What Fiji is doing next
The government has announced a package of measures aimed at expanding the national response.
- Free HIV testing and treatment will continue to be expanded.
- Access to pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, will be widened for people at substantial risk of acquiring HIV.
- Long-acting prevention options, including twice-yearly injections, are being considered as part of the response.
- A needle and syringe programme is planned to reduce transmission linked to shared injecting equipment.
- Community organizations and peer outreach workers will play a larger role in testing, prevention, treatment and anti-stigma work.
- A five-member Cabinet subcommittee has been established to address policy and implementation barriers.
UNAIDS said more than 42 per cent of cases with a known mode of transmission were linked to injecting drug use, while more than half were linked to sexual transmission.
However, the ministry’s 2025 report notes that the mode of transmission was unknown for 57.9 per cent of newly registered cases, largely because many people were not yet linked to care.
What the national emergency means
The emergency declaration does not change the basic fact that HIV is preventable and treatable, but it signals that Fiji intends to mobilize more resources and coordinate action beyond the health ministry.
The World Health Organization said the declaration creates an opportunity to intensify work already under way through Fiji’s HIV Surge Strategy for 2024 to 2027 and its national outbreak response plan.
Health officials and international partners are also urging the public to avoid misinformation and discrimination, which can discourage people from seeking testing or remaining in care.
The next major test will be whether Fiji can convert the emergency declaration into faster diagnosis, wider treatment coverage, better prevention access and stronger support for communities most affected by the outbreak.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Fiji declare HIV a national emergency?
Fiji formally declared HIV a national emergency on September 15, 2026.
How many new HIV cases did Fiji record in 2025?
Fiji recorded 2,016 newly registered HIV cases in 2025, a 27 per cent increase from 2024.
What is driving the rise in HIV cases in Fiji?
The increase reflects ongoing transmission, including sexual transmission and injecting drug use, as well as expanded testing and improved surveillance.
What measures is Fiji introducing?
The response includes expanded testing, free treatment, wider PrEP access, long-acting prevention options, community outreach and a planned needle and syringe programme.
Can HIV be treated successfully?
Yes. Antiretroviral treatment can help people living with HIV maintain long, healthy lives and prevent sexual transmission when the virus is durably suppressed.
Fact-Checked: Key figures and response measures were checked against Fiji’s Ministry of Health and Medical Services, WHO and UNAIDS information published in September 2026.
Disclaimer: This article provides public-health information and is not a substitute for advice from a qualified medical professional.