In light of the sudden outbreak of the deadly Nipah Virus in the southern state of Kerala which claimed two lives already, ICMR's National Institute of Virology in Pune on Thursday sent its mobile BSL-3 laboratory to Kozhikode in Kerala to test samples for Nipah virus in the district. It has been reported that the samples would be collected from bats to check for the presence of the Nipah virus.
A team of experts from the Department of Animal Husbandry has also been deployed to assist the state in the surveillance of animals.
About the testing facility
According to an official, "The ICMR's mBSL-3, which is the first biosafety level-3 containment mobile laboratory of South Asia, has been stationed at Kozhikode. It will help in early testing and detection of the infection at the district itself," an official source said.
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The mobile laboratory, which was set up in February last year, is designed to investigate newly emerging and reemerging viral infections that are highly infectious and hold lethal potential to human beings.
Union Minister of State for Health Bharati Pravin Pawar visited the ICMR's National Institute of Virology in Pune and held a review meeting in view of the Nipah virus cases reported in Kozhikode.
She said the affected gram panchayats in the Kozhikode district have been declared as quarantine zones.
Measures taken so far
In a bid to keep the situation under control, a five-member central team comprising experts from the National Centre for Disease Control, RML Hospital and NIMHANS has been stationed in Kerala to take stock of the situation.
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The entire process is under constant monitoring of the Union Health Ministry and the ICMR-NIV.
The Kerala government on Thursday said there was no need to be apprehensive about the Nipah outbreak in Kozhikode district but caution needs to be exercised by people as they go about their daily activities.
The Kerala government on Thursday said the monoclonal antibody required for treatment of those infected by the Nipah virus has arrived in the state.
State Health Minister Veena George said a meeting was held between the Principal Secretary of the Health Department and the Union Health Ministry earlier in the day and now the monoclonal antibody has arrived.
