Child given precautionary treatment as police investigate needle incident

Police are investigating an alleged deliberate needle-stick injury involving a school-aged child in Suva.

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services confirmed in a statement that the child was treated at a Suva health centre last week before being referred to the Colonial War Memorial (CWM) Hospital on the same day.

The child was assessed, treated and given post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) medication as a precaution.

The ministry confirmed that the child had returned home and was receiving follow-up care.

The matter has been reported to the Fiji Police Force.

However, the ministry said it would not comment on how the alleged incident occurred because it was under police investigation.

It also urged the public not to share information that could identify the child, family, school or community.

Precautionary treatment

The ministry clarified that there was no information about where the needle came from or whether it carried anything that could cause an infection, including HIV.

It stressed that giving the child PEP medication did not mean the child had contracted HIV.

According to the ministry, healthcare workers treat every needle-stick injury involving an unknown source as a possible exposure to infection.

PEP is a 28-day course of HIV medication that works best 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 was low.

Even when a needle is known to contain blood from a person living with HIV, infection occurs in approximately three out of every 1,000 needle-stick injuries.

The risk is lower outside healthcare settings and can be reduced further through timely PEP treatment.

Ministry warns against speculation

The ministry also cautioned against speculation linking the incident to people living with HIV.

It said nothing was known about the source of the needle or the health status of anyone allegedly involved.

The ministry warned that such speculation could spread fear and discrimination against people living with HIV.

Parents were urged to remind children never to pick up or touch discarded needles or syringes and to report injuries or suspicious encounters to an adult immediately.

Anyone who suffers a needle-stick injury should wash the affected area gently with soap and running water and seek medical attention immediately.

The ministry said HIV testing, treatment and advice were available free and confidentially at its healthcare facilities.