Article \u2013 RNZ<\/p>\n
The number of Fijians who are HIV positive has risen to at least 9000 one percent of the population as infections surge.RNZ Pacific reporters<\/a><\/p>\n The number of Fijians who are HIV positive has risen to at least 9000 \u2013 almost one percent of the population \u2013 with infections surging, according to the man who heads the country\u2019s HIV outbreak response.<\/p>\n Fiji has been gripped by an \u201cescalating HIV epidemic\u201d according to the World Health Organisation.<\/p>\n The country declared a HIV outbreak in January last year, with the government calling it \u201ca national crisis\u201d<\/a>, and regional health experts raising concerns that it could spread across the region<\/a>.<\/p>\n But while the island nation is \u201ctaking decisive steps\u201d<\/a> to address the situation, more than half of those who are aware of their HIV status are not on treatment, Fiji\u2019s National HIV Outbreak and Cluster Response chair Dr Jason Mitchell said.<\/p>\n In New Zealand, there are around 3500 people estimated to be HIV positive<\/a> \u2013 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.<\/p>\n Dr Mitchell has warned that the cases continue to sharply increase.<\/p>\n \u201cIn 2025 alone, we recorded 2016 new cases \u2026 a 723 percent increase in three years,\u201d he was quoted as saying by The Fiji Times.<\/p>\n He said more than three percent of women attending antenatal care in Fiji were testing positive for HIV \u2013 with the number slightly higher in the capital \u2013 and one baby is being diagnosed with HIV every week due to mother-to-child transmission, and one child also dies each month from advanced HIV disease.<\/p>\n He said the virus was present in families, workplaces and communities throughout Fiji, the newspaper reported.<\/p>\n An editorial published by The Fiji Times described the situation as \u201calarming\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat we need right now is awareness. Real, widespread, unfiltered awareness. People must understand the scale of the problem and the consequences of risky behaviours,\u201d the news outlet\u2019s editor-in-chief Fred Wesley said.<\/p>\n \u201cThe links to drug use and needle sharing are well known. The prevention methods are well known. What remains uncertain is whether we, as a nation, are prepared to act decisively on that knowledge.<\/p>\n Wesley added \u201cthese are troubling times\u201d and \u201cthat complacency is not an option\u201d.<\/p>\n Last October, Dr Jalal Mohammed, a senior lecturer at the University of Canterbury and adjunct professor at the University of Fiji, told RNZ Pacific the crisis had reached a \u201ctipping point\u201d<\/a>, warning that Kiwis \u201cgoing on holidays could pick up the virus\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cWe could see an increased number of cases in New Zealand as well,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \nContent Sourced from scoop.co.nz<\/a>
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