Kolkata Receives Mobile Nipah Testing Lab After Positive Cases Confirmed
Kolkata has received a new mobile testing laboratory for the Nipah virus. This development follows the confirmation of Nipah infection in two nurses from Barasat hospital earlier this week. The National Institute of Virology in Pune sent the advanced mobile lab to the city.
Swift Response to Confirmed Cases
The two nurses tested positive for Nipah on Tuesday. Their samples had been sent to NIV Pune for final confirmation. Once authorities received the positive report, preparations began immediately to dispatch the mobile testing facility to Kolkata.
The mobile laboratory reached the ICMR-NIRBI institute in Beleghata on Wednesday. After completing necessary calibrations, scientists began testing samples from Thursday onward. So far, they have examined more than 100 samples. None have returned positive results at this time.
Enhanced Testing Capabilities in Kolkata
This mobile lab represents a significant upgrade for local testing capabilities. Previously, when samples tested positive at VRDL labs in Kolkata, they required re-confirmation through RT-PCR tests at NIV Pune. This process consumed valuable time.
Now, the mobile lab at ICMR-NIRBI can conduct these confirmatory RT-PCR tests locally. The facility operates at biosafety level 3 standards, meeting the stringent requirements for handling dangerous pathogens like the Nipah virus.
ICMR-NIRBI director Santa Sabuj Das explained the timeline. "The mobile lab reached our institute on Wednesday. After the required calibrations were completed, we started testing samples from Thursday."
Collaborative Effort for Faster Diagnosis
A team of scientists from NIV Pune is currently stationed in Kolkata. They are providing hands-on guidance to NIRBI scientists. Two additional teams from the state health department are also participating in this effort.
These teams come from VRDL labs at IPGMER and RG Kar Medical College. Their collaboration ensures comprehensive testing coverage across multiple facilities.
Director Das highlighted the coordination benefits. "Since all confirmatory tests are now done here, it is easy coordinating with the state health department."
Critical Importance of Rapid Testing
Medical experts emphasize the urgency of quick diagnosis for Nipah virus cases. Professor Biswanath Sharma Sarkar, department head at ID Hospital Beliaghata, explained the rationale behind the mobile lab deployment.
"Nipah infection has high mortality, and hence we need to identify each infected person fast to restrict spread. Now that tests are being conducted at ICMR-NIRBI, saving time that would be consumed in sending samples to Pune, we are unlikely to miss cases."
The mobile lab can process approximately 96 samples daily. This capacity allows for testing samples from both government and private hospitals in the Kolkata area.
Streamlined Sample Processing
Bhaskar Narayan Chaudhuri, chief microbiologist at Peerless Hospital, noted the practical advantages of having local testing facilities.
"Since the testing facility is now in the city, sending samples and getting reports will be much faster."
This streamlined approach eliminates the need to transport samples to Pune for confirmatory testing. The reduction in turnaround time could prove crucial for containing potential outbreaks.
The mobile laboratory represents a proactive measure by health authorities. By establishing advanced testing capabilities within Kolkata, they aim to detect and respond to Nipah cases more effectively than ever before.
