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Meth Is a Key Driver in Fiji's Fast-Growing HIV Epidemic: 1 in 60 Adults Are Affected
Officials said 2,016 new diagnoses were recorded in 2025, as low testing, stigma and injecting drug use drove the outbreak.
- On Sept. 15, Fiji declared a national HIV emergency after recording 2,016 new diagnoses in 2025, the highest annual total on record, announced Medical Services Minister Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu.
- Methamphetamine injection and 'bluetoothing'—sharing needles between users—are driving the surge, with sexual intercourse accounting for roughly 50% of new infections and injecting drug use contributing more than 42 percent.
- Despite free treatment availability, only 22 percent of people living with HIV in Fiji are receiving care, as stigma and geographic barriers deter patients on remote islands from accessing the few dedicated clinical centers.
- Australia announced a $48 million funding package in August to support new HIV strategies, including mobile response teams across 21 locations and an injectable form of PrEP providing near 100% protection.
- Projections suggest 25,000 Fijians will be living with HIV by 2029, pushing the health system to collapse, while law enforcement continues blocking proposed needle and syringe programs despite evidence of their effectiveness.
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14 Articles
14 Articles
Meth is a key driver in Fiji's fast-growing HIV epidemic: 1 in 60 adults are affected
In mid-September, Fiji's government declared a national emergency because of a startling rise in HIV infections. The country's crystal meth epidemic is a strong contributing factor.
·San Diego, United States
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The highest number of HIV infections is in sub-Saharan Africa.
·Helsinki, Finland
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources14
Leaning Left3Leaning Right0Center4Last UpdatedBias Distribution57% Center
Bias Distribution
- 57% of the sources are Center
57% Center
L 43%
C 57%
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