Agartala: Tripura Health Department on Thursday said there are no reported cases of Nipah Virus Disease (NVD) in the state, and adequate preventive and preparedness measures are in place, even as fresh cases have been reported from other parts of the country, officials said.

Speaking at a press conference, Mission Directorate National Health Mission (NHM) Saju Vaheed said, “Nipah Virus is a rare but serious zoonotic disease that can spread from animals to humans as well as through human-to-human transmission. Fruit bats, also known as flying foxes, are the natural reservoirs of the virus. Though infections in humans are uncommon, the disease can cause severe illness and may prove fatal.”

Providing an update on the national situation, he said Nipah cases in India have been reported mainly from Kerala since 2018. An outbreak was recorded in July 2025 in Kerala’s Palakkad and Malappuram districts.

Recently, two cases have also been reported from West Bengal. No outbreak or suspected case has been detected in Tripura so far, he added.

Explaining the modes of transmission, officials said the virus can spread through consumption of raw or unprocessed date palm sap contaminated by bats, eating fruits contaminated with bat saliva or urine, close contact with infected persons including exposure to body fluids, and poor infection control practices in healthcare settings.

“The public is advised to watch out for symptoms such as fever, headache, body ache, vomiting, weakness, cough, and breathing difficulty. In severe cases, the infection can lead to encephalitis, causing confusion, seizures, or unconsciousness,” the official added.

A press statement issued by the department further said there is no specific treatment for Nipah Virus, and management is limited to intensive supportive care, including rest, hydration, and symptomatic treatment.

People have been advised to avoid consuming raw date palm sap or toddy, eat only properly washed and peeled fruits, avoid half-eaten fruits lying on the ground, maintain hand hygiene with soap and water, avoid close contact with sick persons, and strictly follow government advisories on the safe handling of patients and deceased persons.

The Health Department has strengthened disease surveillance, hospital preparedness, isolation facilities, and infection prevention and control measures across the state.

Healthcare personnel have been trained to detect and manage suspected cases at an early stage, officials said.

Authorities urged people not to panic, rely only on verified information, and cooperate with health advisories, while appealing to the media to help spread accurate information and awareness among the public.

The Director of Health Services and the Director of Family Welfare and Preventive Medicine also attended the press conference.

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