The Health Ministry has reported 552 new cases of HIV from January to June 2024, indicating a 33 percent increase compared to the total from the previous year.
These new cases have been spread across all divisions of Fiji, with 380 diagnosed in the Central division, 151 in the Western division, 19 in the Northern division, and 2 in the Eastern division.
The ministry highlighted that 73 percent of the new cases were among individuals under the age of 39. Specifically, 137 cases (24.8 percent) were in the 20 to 24 age group, 128 cases (23 percent) in the 25 to 29 age group, and 50 cases (9 percent) among those aged 15 to 19.
While sexual transmission remains the leading cause of HIV spread in Fiji, the ministry noted that 15 percent, or 85, of the new cases were among individuals who identified as injectable drug users. This marks a significant rise in new diagnoses within this demographic.
Despite the concerns raised by the increasing number of new cases, the ministry expects the trend to continue upward as it focuses on improving nationwide screening, testing, and enrollment in care for those affected.