Fiji, a favourite honeymoon spot with its stunning beaches and island resorts, is now the site of the Pacific’s fastest-growing HIV epidemic, driven largely by rising crystal methamphetamine use.
Surge in cases linked to drug practices
HIV and AIDS cases in Fiji are projected to double this year to more than 3,000, according to UNAIDS and the Fiji Ministry of Health.
Officials point to drug use as a major factor behind the sharp increase across the Pacific island nation.
A rapid assessment released by the World Health Organization in December highlighted unsafe injecting practices that heighten the risk of HIV transmission among people who inject drugs.
The assessment noted a worrying “Bluetooth trend”, where individuals inject the blood of someone already high to get a similar effect when they cannot afford their own drugs.
In 2024, Fiji recorded 1,583 new HIV cases. The first six months of 2025 saw 1,226 new cases reported.
Crystal methamphetamine remains the most commonly used drug, with half of those interviewed in the assessment admitting to injecting with potentially contaminated syringes.
Impact on behaviour and communities
An informant from Talanoa Law and Justice told researchers that drugs affect the parts of the brain controlling thinking and emotions.
“[People] can interpret the happenings around them very differently,” the informant said.
“Maybe you just happen to walk by him … and [he] think[s] you’re after him. Especially if they cannot control their impulses, they become aggressive,” the informant added.
Munkhtuya Altangerel, United Nations Development Program representative, described the assessment findings as a wake-up call.
“Fiji’s HIV epidemic is not just a health issue — it is a development and human rights challenge that threatens lives, communities and progress,” Altangerel said in a release.
“We must act decisively and urgently to scale up harm reduction, expand access to HIV testing and treatment, and ensure that no one is left behind.”
Tourism backdrop and travel warnings
Government data shows 986,367 people visited Fiji last year.
The country remains a top choice for honeymooners, drawn by white-sand beaches, coral diving and secluded island resorts.
Australia’s travel advisory for Fiji flags HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases as health risks for visitors.
“The rates of HIV/AIDS infections are rising, and the Fiji government has declared an HIV outbreak. Take precautions if you engage in activities that may expose you to the risk of infection,” the advisory states.
About The Author
