HIV Infection Claims Lives of 47 Students in Tripura, 828 Test Positive; 5-7 Cases Detected Everyday

West Tripura: There has been an alarming rise in the HIV cases in the north-eastern state of Tripura and drug abuse is said to be one of the major reasons for the spread. 

Students have been losing their lives because of the disease and multiple cases are being reported each day.

47 Tripura Students Die of HIV, Over 800 Test Positive

According to the senior official of the Tripura State AIDS Control Society (TSACS), a total of 47 students have lost their lives and 828 others have tested positive. 

According to the official, “We have so far registered 828 students who are HIV positive. Out of them, 572 students are still alive and we have lost 47 people due to the dreaded infection. Many of the students have migrated out of Tripura for higher studies in coveted institutions across the country.”

Drug Abuse Primary Cause of HIV Spread

The major reason for spread of HIV in the state is drug abuse. The data by the TSACS says that the 828 students who have tested positive, are from 220 schools and 24 colleges-universities and they take injectible drugs. 

A media workshop was jointly organised by Tripura Journalist Union, Web Media Forum and TSACS, the Joint Director of TSACS, to explain this in a statistical manner and also increase awareness.

Multiple Cases Reported Everyday, Here's What Data Says

The situation in Tripura is alarming because 5-7 cases are being reported each day.

On the total number of active cases in the state, a senior official of the TSACS said, "Till May 2024, we have registered 8,729 people in the ART (Antiretroviral Therapy) centres. The total number of people who are alive with HIV is 5,674. Among them, 4,570 are males, while 1,103 are females. Only one patient among them is a transgender."