Fiji declared a national emergency as HIV cases surge across the Pacific archipelago, with health authorities reporting that approximately one in 60 adults is now living with the bloodborne virus, according to government figures cited by the BBC and other international outlets.
Fiji HIV Surge and Emergency Declaration
The island nation of less than a million people recorded 2,016 new HIV diagnoses in 2025 alone, representing a dramatic 16-fold increase compared to 2019 levels. Health Minister Antonio Lalabalavu announced the national emergency, stating that an outbreak-level response is no longer sufficient to contain the epidemic. Five years ago, the infection rate stood at approximately one in 167 adults.
The rapid escalation has severely strained local healthcare infrastructure. Jason Mitchell, who leads the national HIV response taskforce, told ABC News that patients who should be healthy due to available treatments are instead occupying hospital beds and crowding outpatients clinics.
Drivers of the Epidemic and Bluetoothing Practices
Health experts and non-governmental organizations attribute the surging infection rates to a combination of unsafe sex, needle sharing, and a dangerous drug consumption method known as “bluetoothing” or “hotspotting.” According to BBC reporting, this practice involves intravenous drug users injecting the blood of an already intoxicated person to share a high more cheaply or to bypass the scarcity of clean syringes.
Data from the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) highlights a profound treatment gap within the country. Of the 9,100 Fijians estimated to be living with HIV in 2025, only 39 percent knew their status, and just 22 percent accessed antiretroviral treatment. That coverage level lags significantly behind the global average, where 78 percent of people with the virus receive treatment.
Government Response and International Support
In response to the crisis, the Fijian government plans to introduce legislative amendments in parliament to establish a comprehensive syringe and needle program. Health Minister Lalabalavu emphasized that existing medical supplies are sufficient, but legal frameworks must change to allow the rollout. Authorities are also expanding access to free HIV testing, prevention services, and treatment regimens.
Winnie Byanyima, executive director of UNAIDS, welcomed the emergency declaration, noting that it signals the necessary urgency across government and society. Australia and New Zealand, alongside United Nations agencies, are providing help to pay for the measures.
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