3 months ago
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A Viral Research and Diagnostic Lab (VRDL) has started functioning astatine the Ernakulam Medical College Hospital (MCH) and is gearing up for its ceremonial inauguration.
Founded and funded by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the laboratory carries retired PCR and ELISA tests for assorted respiratory viruses, hepatitis viruses, and dengue virus. Bacteria specified arsenic Rickettsia (Scrub Typhus) and Leptospira are besides being tested.
At present, the samples collected from the infirmary and surrounding areas arsenic portion of ICMR’s Pan India Respiratory Virus Surveillance Project are tested for respiratory viruses. “Every week, 25 samples (15 from periphery regions and 10 from hospitalised cases) are being tested and these results are uploaded to ICMR’s portal. This is portion of their two-year project,” said Dr. Joana Mary, HOD, Microbiology, Government Medical College, Ernakulam .
The respiratory viruses that are tested see Influenza-A virus, Influenza-B virus, SARS CovV-2 virus, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), and Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV). As portion of surveillance, Nipah tests are besides being carried out.
Regular enactment is ongoing since 2024 successful the existing PCR Lab astatine the infirmary and this was shifted to a caller renovated abstraction with amended facilities successful December. The installation is awaiting its ceremonial inauguration.
As of 31st January, 21,872 tests person been carried retired with a full fig of PCR tests lasting astatine 6,958 and ELISA astatine 14,914.
“The inpatient tests are being carried retired based connected the clinician’s request. The tests are free, truthful patients payment from this,” says Dr. Joana. All these information are uploaded to the ICMR portal. Dr. Joana adds ICMR expands the people database and further viruses are tested. Recent additions successful the microorganism sheet see Adenovirus and Parainfluenza viruses.
“The precedence is fixed for probe and this volition assistance america successful our preparedness successful the lawsuit of a pandemic and besides assistance america foretell immoderate outbreaks arsenic surveillance for viruses is carried out. We get to cognize if immoderate caller viruses are evolving oregon show the anticipation of immoderate outbreak and apprehension its spread. With the lab, we tin bash much microorganism based tests and transportation retired expanded investigations and studies,” she added.
