Image: RNZThe number of Fijians who are HIV positive has risen to at least 9000 - almost one percent of the population - with infections surging, according to the man who heads the country's HIV outbreak response. The country declared a HIV outbreak in January last year, the government calling it "a national crisis", and regional health experts raising concerns that it could spread across the region. In New Zealand, there are around 3500 people estimated to be HIV positive - less than 0.1 percent of the population. With Fiji having around 9000 cases, it suggests the prevalence of people living with HIV is much higher relative to the population. "In 2025 alone, we recorded 2016 new cases ... a 723 percent increase in three years," he was quoted as saying by The Fiji Times.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 30, 2026 05:50 UTC