Fiji Faces Alarming HIV Epidemic Linked to Drug Usage and Needle Sharing

Tue Oct 14 2025 04:47:26 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In a shocking turn of events, Fiji is grappling with a rapid surge in HIV cases, escalating from under 500 in 2014 to nearly 5,900 in 2024. The alarming rise is fueled by increased drug use, unsafe sexual practices, and a dangerous trend of blood sharing among users. Experts warn of an impending crisis if substantial measures are not taken.

Fiji has seen a significant rise in HIV infections, particularly among young people, with recent reports indicating that cases have surged from under 500 to approximately 5,900 in a span of ten years. Intravenous drug use, especially practices such as 'bluetoothing,' has been cited as a key driver of this burgeoning crisis. Despite a greater awareness around HIV and a decreasing stigma, many individuals remain untested, raising concerns about the true scale of the epidemic. Authorities are calling for urgent interventions to combat the crisis.

Fiji Faces Alarming HIV Epidemic Linked to Drug Usage and Needle Sharing

In a shocking turn of events, Fiji is grappling with a rapid surge in HIV cases, escalating from under 500 in 2014 to nearly 5,900 in 2024. The alarming rise is fueled by increased drug use, unsafe sexual practices, and a dangerous trend of blood sharing among users. Experts warn of an impending crisis if substantial measures are not taken.

Young Faces of the Epidemic

Ten: that's the age of the youngest person with HIV that Sesenieli Naitala has ever met. When she first started Fiji's Survivor Advocacy Network in 2013, that young boy was yet to be born. Now he is one of thousands of Fijians to have contracted the virus, with many aged 19 or younger having acquired HIV through intravenous drug use. Over the past five years, Fiji has seen a staggering increase in HIV infections that have become one of the world's fastest-growing epidemics.

Social Implications

By 2014, Fiji had fewer than 500 people living with HIV, but by 2024 that number had skyrocketed to approximately 5,900. The country is now registering alarming figures—1,583 new cases in the last year alone, with experts pointing to behaviors such as needle sharing and new practices like 'bluetoothing,' where users share blood through needles.

Government Response and Future Outlook

The ongoing crisis has prompted the Fijian government to declare an HIV outbreak, with warnings from health officials that the nation may witness more than 3,000 new cases by the end of 2025. Assistant health minister Penioni Ravunawa declared the epidemic a 'national crisis' and emphasized the need for immediate action to avert further catastrophe.

The combination of decreased stigma, increased testing, and enhanced public awareness has seen more young people come forward for testing, but many are still undetected in the statistics—suggesting the situation may be broader than reported. Experts urge for better education and resources to tackle this urgent public health crisis effectively.

Conclusions and Recommendations

As societal conditions evolve, experts highlight the dire need for educational initiatives and sustainable harm reduction policies, such as the implementation of needle-syringe programs. Addressing the issue of drug addiction while also managing the HIV epidemic will require coordinated and comprehensive strategies aimed at restoring health and wellbeing for Fiji's citizens.