A school-aged child in Suva has been placed on HIV prevention medication following an alleged deliberate needle stick injury last week.
The Ministry of Health and Medical Services has confirmed that the child was initially seen at a health centre in Suva before being referred to the Colonial War Memorial Hospital on the same day.
The child was assessed, treated and immediately started on post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) medication as a precaution against possible HIV infection.
The Ministry says the child has since returned home and is receiving follow-up care.
It stressed that administering PEP does not mean the child has contracted HIV.
“There is no information on where the needle came from or whether it carried anything that could cause infection, such as HIV,” the Ministry said.
Healthcare workers treat needle stick injuries involving unknown sources as potential exposure to infection.
PEP involves a 28-day course of HIV medication and is most effective when started as early as possible, ideally within a few hours and no later than 72 hours after exposure.
The Ministry said the risk of HIV transmission through a needle stick injury is low, with approximately three infections occurring per 1,000 injuries involving needles known to contain blood from a person living with HIV.
The risk is even lower outside healthcare settings and can be reduced further through timely PEP treatment.
The Ministry also warned that needle stick injuries could expose individuals to hepatitis B and hepatitis C.
The alleged incident has been reported to the Fiji Police Force and is under investigation.
The Ministry has declined to comment on the circumstances surrounding the alleged attack and has urged the public not to share information that could identify the child, family, school or community.
It also cautioned against speculation linking the incident to people living with HIV, stressing that nothing is known about the source of the needle or the health status of anyone allegedly involved.
The Ministry reminded parents to encourage children to report suspicious encounters immediately and seek urgent medical attention following any needle stick injury.
PEP medication is available free of charge at Ministry of Health facilities.
