AI Generated Image
Fiji declares national HIV emergency as case numbers surge
ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos • • general
Key Points:
- Fiji's government has declared a national HIV emergency due to a significant rise in HIV cases, with approximately 1 in 60 adults now living with the disease, up from 1 in 167 five years ago.
- In 2025, 2,016 new HIV diagnoses were reported, a sixteenfold increase from 2019, attributed in part to expanded testing efforts.
- The government provides free HIV testing, prevention medications, needles for drug users, and treatment for those who test positive as part of its response.
- UNAIDS supports Fiji's declaration, highlighting the country faces one of the sharpest increases in new HIV infections globally and emphasizing the need for urgent, coordinated action.
- The U.S. Embassy in Suva is exploring technical assistance to strengthen Fiji's laboratory capacity, disease surveillance, and outbreak preparedness through the upcoming Strides program.
