By Staff Writer
The Ministry of Health, is sounding the alarm in Samoa over the notable rise in the number of new HIV cases in Fiji .
The warning was highlighted in a media statement from the Samoa Ministry of Health on reports from Fiji of 415 new HIV cases for 2023 (i.e. 404 adults and 11 children), compared to just 245 cases in 2022.
Fiji currently has 1553 active cases of HIV and AIDS in the country, making it the second-highest country in the Asia Pacific region, with rising new cases of HIV and AIDS,” according to the statement.
Unsafe sexual practices and the use of injectable drugs have been attributed to the rise of HIV in Fiji.
No new locally acquired HIV cases have been detected in Samoa since 2020.
There are currently 12 individuals living with HIV in Samoa, all of whom all are currently in monitored treatment and are in good health.
Sexually transmitted infections (STI’s) however continue to rise in Samoa, which have been proven to lead to outbreaks of HIV.
Considering the proximity of Fiji to Samoa, the Ministry of Health, Samoa wishes to advise the general public in practicing preventative measures to minimize the possibility of HIV and STI transmission.