Even a year ago, few could have guessed that a new wave of injecting methamphetamine use would drive the world’s fastest-rising HIV epidemic.
Although the total number of people infected with HIV in Fiji remains relatively small, it has surged tenfold since 2014, exposing long-standing HIV service gaps and funding shortfalls.
Sexual transmission is also climbing; the epidemic is spreading in the general population; and more babies are being infected. There are now real concerns about spillover from Fiji — a major regional hub — to other Pacific island countries and areas.