Fiji declares national HIV crisis after sharp rise in cases

Fiji has declared the spread of HIV a national crisis after a sharp rise in the number of recorded infections.

The Pacific island nation recorded more than 2,000 HIV cases in 2025, 16 times the number reported in 2019, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Health experts estimate that one in 60 adults in Fiji is living with HIV. Among pregnant women, two in every 100 are infected.

In 2025, 59 children were born with HIV, while 18 died in the womb, according to the government.

Fiji is using rapid testing and prevention measures as part of its response, while people living with HIV receive free treatment.

The United Nations, Australia, New Zealand and India are supporting Fiji's efforts to combat the spread of the infection.

By Aghakazim Guliyev