From importing monoclonal antibodies to deploying a mobile biosafety level-3 (BSL-3) laboratory in Kozhikode, the Kerala government is taking all possible measures to curtail the spread of the deadly Nipah viral infection.
The BSL-3 laboratory tested the first five samples in a real-world outbreak on Thursday, said Dr Rajiv Bahl, Director General, Indian Council of Medical Research, which was behind the innovation. “We have two such mobile laboratories deployed in Pune and Gorakhpur. They were developed so that instead of samples being flown to the laboratories, the laboratory can be sent to the location of an outbreak for quick processing of samples. This is the first real functioning of the laboratory,” he said.
A scientist from the ICMR explained that fitting an entire BSL-3 laboratory into a single bus comes with significant challenges. “Even while building a BSL-3 laboratory in limited space, we have to ensure that there are separate chambers with separate air filtration systems to allow for decontamination. Proper one-directional air flow has to be ensured so that the pathogens cannot escape through ventilation. Proper waste disposal has to be established. This is a big challenge,” the scientist said.
The need for such a mobile laboratory was felt during the 2018 Nipah outbreak in Kerala during which samples had to be continuously flown to National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune for confirmation. “Such mobile Laboratories can be stationed at different regions in the country and may be mobilised in case of sudden outbreaks,” the then ICMR DG, Balaram Bhargava, had said during the inauguration of the labs last year.
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What’s a mobile BSL-3 laboratory?
While the mobile laboratory will help in the containment of infection, the government has also imported monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of those infected. The monoclonal antibody hasn’t gone through human trials to prove effectiveness against Nipah, but the government has allowed its use on compassionate grounds.
Nipah isolation ward at Kozhikode Medical College on Thursday. (PTI)
There is no effective treatment available for the disease which kills 40% to 75% of those infected.
Dr Bahl said 20 doses of the monoclonal antibodies are stored in India that were imported during the 2018 outbreak. “They weren’t used in 2018. For the current outbreak, we did not know whether we can use the old antibodies. However, the lab at University of Queensland in Australia that manufactures it has informed us that the sample maintained by them continues to be stable. The structures remaining stable means we can use these doses,” said Dr Bahl.
