The Aporia
Reuters. (2026, September 18). Fiji ravaged by sharp surge in HIV cases as island country declares national crisis. New York Post. https://nypost.com/2026/09/18/lifestyle/fiji-ravaged-by-sharp-surge-in-hiv-cases/
Reuters. “Fiji ravaged by sharp surge in HIV cases as island country declares national crisis.” New York Post, 18 Sept. 2026, https://nypost.com/2026/09/18/lifestyle/fiji-ravaged-by-sharp-surge-in-hiv-cases/.
Reuters. “Fiji ravaged by sharp surge in HIV cases as island country declares national crisis.” New York Post, September 18, 2026. https://nypost.com/2026/09/18/lifestyle/fiji-ravaged-by-sharp-surge-in-hiv-cases/.
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Fiji declared a national HIV emergency on September 15, 2023, amid a sharp rise in new cases. The country's health minister announced that one in every 60 adults is now living with HIV, up from one in 167 five years ago. In 2025 alone, over 2,000 new HIV diagnoses were recorded, marking a 12-fold increase since 2010 according to UNAIDS data. This surge correlates with a significant rise in methamphetamine use and injectable drug abuse. The government plans to introduce needle exchange programs and expand testing and treatment access while addressing the human toll: 59 babies were born with HIV last year, with 18 deaths before their first birthday. UNAIDS executive director Winnie Byanyima highlighted the urgency, noting that without swift action, the crisis could spread across other South Pacific nations due to Fiji's status as a regional hub for business and tourism.