# Fiji HIV epidemic and needle‑exchange response

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/fiji-hiv-epidemic-and-needleexchange-response
> Updated: 2026-07-30T20:00:45.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2.

In mid‑July 2026 Fiji announced plans to launch a needle‑syringe programme aimed at reducing HIV transmission among people who inject drugs. By the end of the month, health officials reported that the Pacific nation is experiencing the world’s fastest‑growing HIV epidemic, with infections rising about fourteen‑fold over five years. The surge is linked primarily to expanding injectable methamphetamine use and needle sharing, which intensified after COVID‑19 disrupted drug trafficking. Vertical transmission rates have risen sharply, leading to an average of one child born with HIV each week and one child death each month. The outbreak disproportionately affects the indigenous iTaukei population. Authorities, citing a lack of harm‑reduction resources, have called for urgent scaling up of testing, treatment, and needle‑exchange initiatives to curb the crisis.

## Timeline

### 2026-07-30: Fiji faces world's fastest‑growing HIV epidemic

Fiji’s HIV epidemic has surged fourteen‑fold, driven by injectable meth use, with 12,000 infected and a record 18% mother‑to‑child transmission rate, prompting a national outbreak declaration in 2025.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/fiji-faces-worlds-fastestgrowing-hiv-epidemic

### 2026-07-13: Fiji prepares needle‑syringe programme to curb HIV outbreak among drug users

Fiji’s HIV outbreak, driven by shared syringes among drug users, has prompted a pending needle‑syringe programme, with preparations near completion as of June 2026.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/fiji-prepares-needlesyringe-programme-to-curb-hiv-outbreak-among-drug-users

---
Cite as: Fiji HIV epidemic and needle‑exchange response. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/fiji-hiv-epidemic-and-needleexchange-response