Agartala, 12th November 2026 : Amid growing global concerns over the Ebola virus, the Health Department conducted a mock drill at Govind Ballabh Pant (GBP) Hospital in Agartala to assess preparedness and strengthen the response mechanism for handling any potential Ebola infection.
The exercise was aimed at training healthcare professionals in the identification, isolation and management of suspected Ebola patients, besides ensuring effective containment measures to prevent the possible spread of the deadly virus.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Shibabrata Bhattacharya, Professor and Head of the Department of Microbiology at Agartala Government Medical College, said the mock drill was organised to ensure that medical personnel remain prepared to control and contain an outbreak if an Ebola-infected patient arrives at the hospital.
He pointed out that Ebola has a significantly higher fatality rate than COVID-19, making advance preparedness essential. The objective, he said, is to ensure effective treatment, prevent transmission and minimise mortality.
Dr Bhattacharya further stated that no Ebola cases have been detected in Tripura so far. However, considering the increasing movement of people across countries and regions, the possibility of imported cases cannot be overlooked.
He said the virus has been reported in parts of Africa, including the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, and stressed that healthcare institutions must remain alert to any eventuality.
Emphasising the preparedness of the Health Department, he said the state is taking precautionary measures to ensure that suspected cases can be handled effectively. He cautioned that any delay in detection and containment could lead to a serious situation if the infection spreads.
The mock drill at GBP Hospital is part of the precautionary efforts to strengthen the state’s healthcare response and ensure that medical teams are equipped to deal with a potential Ebola threat.
