The Health Ministry has reported 552 new HIV cases in Fiji from January to June 2024, marking a 33 percent increase compared to the previous year.
These new cases are distributed across all divisions of Fiji, with 380 reported in the Central division, 151 in the Western division, 19 in the Northern division, and 2 in the Eastern division.
The ministry noted that 73 percent of the new cases were among individuals under 39 years old. 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 new cases (9 percent) in the 15 to 19 age group.
While sexual transmission remains the primary method of spreading HIV in Fiji, 15 percent, or 85 of the new cases, were reported among individuals who identified as injectable drug users. This increase has raised concerns, as it indicates a significant rise in new cases among this group compared to previous years.
Despite these alarming statistics, the ministry is preparing for a further rise in new cases as it works to enhance screening, testing, and enrollment in care throughout the country.