HIV Outbreak in Fiji: A Wake-Up Call for the Pacific Region, Including Tonga
SUVA, 23 January 2025—The Government of Fiji has declared an HIV outbreak following a sharp increase in newly diagnosed cases in 2024, raising alarm across the Pacific region. With over 1,093 cases reported between January and September 2024—three times the number in 2023—the outbreak highlights an urgent need for regional solidarity and swift action to curb the epidemic.
The rapid rise in cases, attributed partly to injecting drug use and lack of access to treatment, highlights vulnerabilities that could impact neighbouring countries like Tonga if not addressed. The Fiji Ministry of Health reports a staggering nine-fold increase in HIV diagnoses over the past five years, meeting the national criteria for an outbreak.
To combat the crisis, Fiji has launched a 90-day containment plan alongside the HIV Surge Strategy, aimed at reducing new infections and providing life-saving services to those affected. These initiatives emphasise harm reduction for drug users, condom distribution, and access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)—a preventative treatment for those at risk of HIV.
“This isn’t just a Fijian issue; it’s a Pacific issue,” said Eamonn Murphy, Regional Director of UNAIDS Asia Pacific. “Rising infections in Fiji put the entire Pacific region, including Tonga, at risk. Political will, community leadership, and regional cooperation are crucial to addressing this crisis.”
Stigma and discrimination remain significant barriers to progress, with over half of HIV-positive individuals in Fiji avoiding treatment due to fear of societal backlash. Minister for Health and Medical Services, Dr. Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu, has called for unity in tackling these challenges, stressing that prejudice will only worsen the epidemic.
For Tonga and other Pacific nations, Fiji’s outbreak serves as a warning. Increased mobility across the region could lead to a wider spread of the virus, necessitating proactive measures such as awareness campaigns, harm reduction strategies, and expanded access to testing and treatment.
The United Nations and the Australian Government are actively supporting Fiji’s response, but long-term success will require collective efforts across the Pacific. As UNAIDS HIV Adviser Renata Ram stated, “Every Pacific Islander has a role to play in creating safe, supportive spaces to fight HIV.”
With timely intervention and regional solidarity, the Pacific can prevent the outbreak from becoming a larger regional crisis, ensuring communities are equipped to protect their most vulnerable populations.
