"It is reported that, Tripura has 828 students registered as HIV positive and 47 of them died. This report is misleading because the total figures are cumulative from April, 2007 to May, 2024. Please note it as official clarification from Govt of Tripura," said the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of Tripura Govt. on Wednesday after reports about the HIV surge in the State went viral.

Earlier, news reports stated that 828 students in Tripura were tested positive for HIV with 527 found to be alive and 47 dead. The reports said the data is from Tripura State Aids Control Society. Actually, the reported numbers are cumulative figures of 17 years, that is from April 2007.

However it is confirmed that HIV has spiked in Tripura especially among student-community due to easy availability of injectable drugs. A massive intervention is needed to steer the students away from getting addicted to drugs.