‘Bluetooth trend’ that draws blood from other people and injects it
The number of people with HIV/AIDS this year is expected to double last year.
In Fiji, a representative honeymoon destination in the Pacific, the number of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections has recently increased rapidly.
A panoramic view of Maramara Beach Club in Fiji. Fiji Tourism Board
On the 5th (local time), foreign media such as the New York Post estimated that the Fiji Ministry of Health and the United Nations AIDS Program, a United Nations organization dedicated to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), will have more than 3,000 HIV and AIDS patients in Fiji this year, double the number of last year. HIV is a virus that gradually weakens the immune system upon infection, and without proper treatment, it can progress to AIDS.
Health officials pointed to the increase in drug use as a major reason for the spread of local infections. The World Health Organization (WHO) said in a rapid assessment report released in December last year that it had discovered unhygienic practices of sharing syringes among drug users in Fiji. This behavior is believed to be a factor that significantly increases the risk of HIV transmission.
In particular, it is pointed out that the ‘Bluetooth trend’, an extreme method of drug use, is fueling the spread of HIV. Bluetooth is an act in which a person who cannot obtain drugs injects the blood of another person who is already under the influence of drugs to obtain hallucinogenic effects. During this process, HIV is spread rapidly through contaminated syringes and blood.
In fact, the number of people infected with HIV in Fiji has increased more than tenfold over the past 10 years. In 2024 alone, 1,583 new infections occurred. In 2025, 1,226 cases were reported in the first half of the year alone.
As the situation became more serious, the Fiji government officially declared an ‘HIV outbreak’ in January and began responding to the national crisis. The Fiji Ministry of Health is working with WHO and others to come up with emergency measures to prevent the spread of infection. A United Nations Development Program (UNDP) official called for the international community’s attention and support, saying, “This is a serious challenge that goes beyond a simple health issue and threatens Fiji’s development and human rights.” He continued, “A rapid response is needed to minimize damage,” and “We must expand access to HIV testing and treatment to ensure that no one is excluded from the medical system.”
Meanwhile, Fiji is a popular honeymoon destination visited by hundreds of thousands of tourists every year, with nearly 1 million tourists visiting last year alone. It has become famous for its beautiful white sand beaches, luxury resorts, and snorkeling. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of neighboring countries, including Australia, strongly warned their citizens that they need to be especially careful about activities that pose a risk of infection.
Reporter Gunari forsythia26@asiae.co.kr
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date:2026-02-07 08:13:00