[News Space=Reporter seungwon lee] In Fiji, a famous South Pacific honeymoon destination, the number of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infections is increasing explosively, making the world's worst infectious disease crisis a reality.

According to the Washington Post (WP), ABC News, and FijiTimes on February 4 (local time), the Fiji Ministry of Health and UNAIDS (United Nations AIDS Programme) project that the number of new infections will exceed 3,000 in 2026, double the number from last year. The Washington Post, in particular, warned of a "simultaneous methamphetamine and HIV epidemic" due to drug smuggling by international criminal organizations.

Soaring infection statistics

Despite being a small island nation with a population of less than one million, Fiji has experienced a rapid increase in HIV infections. In 2024, new infections reached a record high of 1,583, and another 1,226 cases were reported in the first half of 2025. According to UNAIDS modeling estimates, the number of people living with HIV will surge from 500 in 2014 and approximately 2,000 in 2020 to 6,100 in 2024, a more than tenfold increase in just ten years. In 2024, 48% of patients starting HIV treatment were injectors, highlighting the significant role of drug-related transmission.

The dark truth about drug use practices

The core causes of this outbreak are drug abuse, including methamphetamine, and unsafe injection practices. An extreme practice known as "Bluetoothing"—where blood is drawn from a person who has already injected drugs and then re-injected by another addict—has accelerated the spread of HIV. However, a recent rapid assessment report by the Kirby Institute found minimal evidence of this practice in field studies.

Instead, syringe reuse due to a shortage of sterile syringes was confirmed in all interviewees (56 people who injected themselves), and the frequent use of contaminated needles for the first injection puts young people (aged 13 and older) at immediate risk of infection. A joint press release from WHO and UNDP characterized this as "the world's fastest-growing HIV epidemic," citing the lack of access to healthcare.

Government response and international support

The Fijian government officially declared an HIV "outbreak" in January 2025 and activated its national crisis response system. The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the WHO and UNDP, is implementing the 2024-2027 HIV Surge Strategy and Outbreak Response Plan, which focuses on expanding HIV testing and treatment, strengthening outreach to people who inject, and introducing a Needle and Syringe Program (NSP).

Australia and New Zealand have pledged millions of dollars in aid, but international aid has been slow, with delays in collaboration between USAID and the CDC since the Trump administration took office. Fijian Health Minister Atonio Lalabalavu emphasized that "NSPs are key to preventing new infections." NSPs (short for Needle and Syringe Programs) are public health interventions that distribute sterile syringes and needles free of charge to drug injectors.

Tourism and Economic Impact and Outlook

The HIV crisis in Fiji, often called a honeymoon paradise, threatens to hit the tourism industry hard. Neighboring countries, including Australia, have issued travel warnings, advising their citizens to avoid risky behavior. The UNDP has called the situation "beyond a health issue, a threat to development and human rights," and called for international support.

International medical experts warned that "without 'no intervention' (public health term for a no-intervention scenario) or active response measures as currently in place, the number of people living with HIV will rapidly increase." They added, "If drug abuse and unsafe injection practices continue without currently planned interventions such as NSPs (needle and syringe programs) and expanded testing and treatment, the number of people living with HIV will rapidly increase, resulting in social and economic catastrophe."