The Health Ministry has announced that there have been 552 new cases of HIV reported from January to June 2024, representing a 33 percent increase compared to the total number for the previous year.
The new cases have been identified across all divisions in Fiji, with 380 cases in the Central division, 151 in the Western division, 19 in the Northern division, and 2 in the Eastern division.
According to the ministry, 73 percent of these new cases involve individuals under the age of 39. Specifically, 137 cases, or 24.8 percent, are in the 20 to 24 age group; 128 cases, or 23 percent, are in the 25 to 29 age group; and 9 percent, or 50 cases, are in the 15 to 19 age group.
The ministry highlighted that sexual transmission remains the main method of HIV transmission in Fiji. However, 15 percent, or 85 of the new cases, were reported among individuals who identified as users of injectable drugs.
This trend has raised alarms, as it indicates a significant rise in new cases among those who use injectable drugs compared to prior years.
While the increase in new diagnoses is concerning, the ministry is preparing for a further rise as it enhances nationwide screening, testing, and enrollment in care programs.