Nipah virus in humans and animals: Pseudovirus test for detection developed, first in India

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Institute of Advanced Virology (IAV), Thiruvananthapuram, has developed a pseudovirus test system that can detect the presence of Nipah virus in humans and animals. This test helps identify antibodies to the virus in asymptomatic cases. This is the first of its kind in the country.

Only RT-PCR testing is available to detect the presence of the virus in infected people at present. This is the situation at the Institute of Advanced Virology also. Efforts to develop a blood test kit began in 2023. During this period, samples of Nipah infected people in Malappuram and recently collected from Palakkad and Malappuram were tested. The new system was developed in collaboration with the Department of Microbiology, Kozhikode Medical College, under the leadership of IAV Director Dr. Sreekumar.

Director Dr EV Sreekumar stated that, in collaboration with the state health and animal welfare departments, IAV has started zero surveillance studies in the Nipah region to detect asymptomatic humans and animals who have contracted the disease.

• Are bats the source of the virus, do other animals play a role?
• Are there carriers who can transmit the virus to others without becoming seriously ill despite being infected?
• Results in 24 hours. Antibodies can form two weeks after infection with the virus. The results of the antibody test can be obtained within 24 hours. The test using pseudovirion technology can be conducted at the BSL 2 lab of the IAV.

'The efforts of the Virology Institute are strengthening Kerala's efforts in combating infectious diseases'

- Minister Veena George