Surging HIV cases in Fiji worry authorities

The number of new human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections in Fiji has surged by 260 per cent since 2010, making Fiji the second-fastest country in the Asia-Pacific with the epidemic. The Ministry of Health and Medical Services in partnership with the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) Fiji Office on Wednesday released the new data.

The ministry said a detailed analysis of the data revealed that 245 new cases of HIV were diagnosed last year, the highest ever to be recorded in a year, indicating that new HIV infections are on the rise. Of these, 231 cases are adults and 14 cases among children, the report said, adding that 43 per cent of new cases are among individuals aged 20 to 29 and 28 per cent are between 30 and 39.

The report also revealed that males were the most affected group, with 61 per cent, or 150 cases. Fiji’s Minister for Health Atonio Lalabalavu said the ministry is committed to fully addressing the rising HIV cases.

In response to these worrying statistics, the ministry has launched several new strategies aimed at controlling the spread of the virus and assisting those affected, Lalabalavu added.

NAN/S.S